Six Feet Under was one of the best and most affecting television shows that ended its five-season run fifteen years ago on HBO. The darkly comedic and emotional series told the story of the Fishers, a family in Los Angeles that operated and lived in a small mom-and-pop run funeral home. The show dealt with death, loss, grief, and new life in a variety of ways over its tenure, introducing some of the deepest and most thought-out characters that still feel a part of real-life and actual family members. No other show has really accomplished this since.
There is no absence of tear-jerking moments of utter sadness and on the opposite end - happiness throughout the show as the characters struggle and cope with different elements of life and family. Almost two decades after its release, this series still conjures up big emotions from a smattering of highly emotional sequences.
David's Kidnapping
During the fourth season, David decides to pick up a seemingly nice hitchhiker in Los Angels and give him a ride to his destination. All seems pleasant, but this hitchhiker, named Jake, played by Michael Weston (Pathology), suddenly viciously attacks David and forces him to drive and ride around Los Angeles.
David is mercilessly beaten, tied up, soaked in gasoline, forced to smoke crack, withdraw money from the atm, and is nearly killed and left for dead in an alleyway. It's such a visceral episode as the torture that is unleashed upon David doesn't seem to end and shows that Jake has no value or appreciation for life of any kind.
Keith and David Learn Why Durrell Acts Out
David and his life partner, Keith, played by Matthew St. Patrick (Sons of Anarchy) adopt two young brothers named Anthony and Durrell to add to their family. These two boys have been in and out of foster homes for quite some time and seem to make trouble at every chance they get, especially the older brother Durrell.
This causes extreme friction between Keith and David until they realize over dinner that Durrell and Anthony act out because they just want to have fun before they are given back to the foster care system. This immediate realization basically fixes everything as Keith and David plan their next vacations over the future with the boys to wherever they want to go.
A Gang Prays With The Fishers
A young gang member is killed at the beginning of this episode that results in every funeral home in Los Angeles turning away the grieving parents and friends of the deceased due to the nature of the death. Fisher and Sons can't afford to turn away business and they accept and put on the funeral for them as David, played by Michael C. Hall (Dexter), encounters the deceased in daydream sequences, teaching him how to stand up for himself.
The Hispanic gang and family are very religious and hold hands in prayer, inviting the Fisher family in their circle as they pray for their family and their recent loss. It's such a tearfully happy moment that sets aside boundaries and prejudices so that people can grieve together.
Nate Comforts Dying Patient
There's a three-episode arc where Nate befriends a terminally ill patient named Aaron Buchbinder, played by Glenn Fitzgerald (The Sixth Sense), who lived a life of luxury until this young man was struck with an incurable disease. Nate enjoyed his honest, yet brutal and darkly funny outlook on life and promised him that he'd visit him every day and be by his side when the time came.
As Aaron took his last breaths, Nate broke down crying, holding his frightened friend and consoling him that it's going to be okay, as Aaron died in his arms. There was no light at the end of the tunnel or welcoming hand, but rather just the cold reality of death.
Federico Delivers Nate's Eulogy
Nate's funeral was an all-time tear-inducing moment of television. Nobody saw it coming and it wrecked both the characters and the audience alike. Fisher and Son's business partner and restorative director Federico, played by Freddy Rodriguez (Planet Terror), delivers the eulogy for his late friend and co-worker at the ceremony.
It's short, sweet, and personal that has Federico choking up and crying through the speech. Normally, Fredrico is composed, passionate, and funny, however, this somber moment got the best of him where he could barely let out a sentence without breaking down. His years of friendship came pouring out in this little tribute.
Claire's Final Goodbye
Right before the final montage sequence to end the series, Claire (Lauren Ambrose from Can't Hardly Wait) says her final goodbyes as she is about to embark on a road trip from LA to New York to start her new career.
Right before she hops in the car, she tells her mother Ruth, played by Frances Conroy (Joker), "Thanks for giving me life", to which her mother replies, "You gave me life". It's such an emotional moment of a tumultuous mother/daughter relationship over five seasons that ends with pure satisfaction and happiness and creates a waterfall of tears.
Brenda's Breakdown
Right after Nate passes away, his widow Brenda, played by Rachel Griffiths (Blow), is on a rollercoaster of emotions for various reasons. She's pained with utter sadness, grief, loneliness, anger, and confusion. For the best, she leaves her daughter Maya with Ruth and heads back to her house where she is surprised by her brother Billy (Jeremy Sisto from Clueless), standing there to comfort her.
He had been out of the country and not available to talk, but just showed up once he heard. She immediately lets out all her emotional turmoil as she collapses into his arms in this sweet, endearing sibling moment, where Billy is the adult for once.
Claire and Ruth's Heart to Heart
It's no secret that Claire and her mother Ruth had a volatile relationship that wasn't above slapping each other, name-calling, and holding funds from one another. Underneath all of that, the two had a great bond from time to time that showed through various episodes, including a Blockbuster video night with mother and daughter on the couch.
Towards the end of the series, both Ruth and Claire had a sit-down after Nate's death where Claire asked her daughter if she'd put her life on hold and stick around to be with her. Claire immediately and genuinely said, "Of course I will". Ruth started to tear up and said thank you, but then told her daughter, "Absolutely not", as she unfroze her inheritance to go live her life how she wanted and to be happy. It was a heart-melting scene between two amazing characters.
Nate Buries Lisa
Despite a turbulent relationship, Nate, played by Peter Krause (Parenthood), and Lisa, played by Lili Taylor (The Conjuring), truly loved one another along with their child Maya. During one of their rockier moments, Lisa leaves for her sister's house for a much-needed vacation and leaves Maya with Nate. Lisa turns up missing for a long while and is found dead weeks later. Turns out she was murdered by her sister's husband over their affair.
This sent Nate on a violent, depressive downward spiral that culminated in his catharsis and acceptance when he stole her body and gave her the green burial she desired. He buried her alone in the middle of the desert under a giant tree in the moonlight as he let out a scream in pain, anger, and sadness that was felt all over the world.
The Montage Finale
The most emotional moment in this series and perhaps of any tv show is the final few minutes of Six Feet Under where Claire drives off and sees her own future and the future of her family that reveals everyone's new marriages, growing older, new jobs, and their deaths - all set to the amazing song "Breathe Me" by Sia.
Being with these characters for five years really felt like family and to see their futures play out was one of the most touching moments of television history.