The Young Sheldon Season 7 episode that continues to bring us all to tears, even a year after its initial release.
What happens when a long-running series sees its end in a spectacular and emotional finale, it often continues to resonate with fans even years later? Something similar occurred with the unforgettable final season of Young Sheldon, particularly the episode just before the finale Funeral.
Following George Sr.’s heartbreaking death, Funeral is filled with raw, emotional moments that struck a deep chord with viewers. It’s no surprise that this episode has since become the highest-rated of the entire series.
It’s been a year since Young Sheldon released its most heartbreaking episode
As Young Sheldon wrapped up its run with Season 7, we fans of The Big Bang Theory lore were bracing ourselves for the emotional moment when the series would address the death of Sheldon’s father, George Cooper Sr. (Lance Barber).
And then it came, not with fanfare, but with a subtle knock at the door, as the Coopers prepared for a family portrait that would tragically remain untaken. What followed in the second-to-last episode, titled Funeral, continues to bring me to tears to this day.
And it’s no surprise that this episode stands as the series’ most emotionally resonant and highest-rated, with an impressive IMDb score of 9.4.
The episode follows the aftermath of George’s passing, with every family member facing the wrath of time in an unfortunate way in their own respective ways. Missy is angry and lost, Georgie is trying to stay composed, and Mary is deeply heartbroken.
Sheldon, true to his nature, is trapped in a cycle of reflecting on their final moment together. He wonders what he could have said or done differently: maybe an “I love you,” a proper goodbye… something.
Several moments are truly tear-inducing: Mary’s emotional breakdown, Missy recalling fond memories with her dad, and primarily, Sheldon’s internal struggle to process the loss. His pain, expressed through quiet reflection rather than outbursts, is particularly devastating.
The Young Sheldon spin-off deepens the heartbreak of George’s death
Young Sheldon has continued with a new spin-off, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, a show that, in many ways, makes the passing of George Cooper Sr. even more heart-wrenching. Through this fresh lens, we see the lingering impact of his absence on those he left behind.
While Sheldon’s perspective remains to be seen, it’s Mary, Missy, and Georgie who openly carry the weight of grief. Mary, in particular, is constantly reminded of her late husband, even by something as seemingly trivial as an argument between Audrey and Jim over beer.
Her emotional crash, followed by her sudden exit, is a gut-wrenching reminder of how deeply she is still hurting. Georgie, now a father himself, begins to unpack his grief in quieter, more meaningful ways. One especially powerful moment is his dream sequence with George Sr.
In it, we see Georgie expressing gratitude, reflecting, and learning, all while finally allowing himself to be vulnerable. It’s a touching tribute to the man he lost, and to the man he’s trying to become.
But even amid laughter, love, and the daily chaos of a growing family, George’s absence echoes loudly. It lingers in every quiet glance, every holiday tradition, every lesson passed down.
His memory doesn’t fade, it deepens. And it’s in that depth of remembrance that Young Sheldon and its spin-off achieve something truly special, a portrait of grief, growth, and enduring love that continues to move us, long after the credits roll.
Young Sheldon is available to watch on Max in the USA.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is available to watch on Paramount+ in the USA.
