The BEST episodes of Six Feet Under

Every episode of Six Feet Under ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Six Feet Under!

A chronicle of the lives of a dysfunctional family who run an independent funeral home in Los Angeles.

Last Updated: 2/11/2024Network: HBOStatus: Ended
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Everyone's Waiting
star
9.15
914 votes

#1 - Everyone's Waiting

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/21/2005

In the series finale, David finally embraces a demon; Keith gives 'tough love'; Nathaniel talks to his younger son; Brenda delivers and fights Nate's negativity; Claire gets an exciting call; and Ted inspires sexy photos.

Directors: Alan Ball
Writer: Alan Ball
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All Alone
star
8.43
682 votes

#2 - All Alone

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/7/2005

Nathaniel Samuel Fisher, Jr. 1965 - 2005 David makes arrangements for Nate's funeral with Ruth and Brenda. Keith makes a humiliating discovery. Brenda must answer a difficult question for Nate's daughter, Maya. Claire reminisces on the past.

Directors: Adam Davidson
Writer: Kate Robin
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Ecotone
star
8.35
670 votes

#3 - Ecotone

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/31/2005

Lawrence Hall Matheson 1971 - 2005 David and Keith begin to feel comfortable in their roles as parents to Durrell and Anthony. Claire shares a common interest with co-worker Ted. Brenda faces common truths. Federico finally understands Vanessa. Feeling liberated after leaving George, Ruth goes camping with Hiram. Nate is checked into the hospital, while the rest of the family (except for Ruth, who is unreachable) waits to hear news from the doctors. Nate enters a brief coma after an operation to repair the damage from his AVM. He appears to be on the path to recovery when he suddenly dies, with only David by his side.

Directors: Daniel Minahan
Writer: Nancy Oliver
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Untitled
star
8.25
675 votes

#4 - Untitled

Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 9/12/2004

Kenneth M. Henderson 1954 - 2004 George has a terrible nightmare connected to his apocalyptic fears. George's daughter, Maggie, comes to visit. Rico has trouble adjusting to life without his family. Claire prepares for her gallery opening. David is traumatized after having to identify his carjacker and decides to confront the man. Nate finds a disturbing photo of Lisa in a book given to him by Michaela.

Directors: Alan Ball
Writer: Nancy Oliver
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I'm Sorry, I'm Lost
star
8.24
744 votes

#5 - I'm Sorry, I'm Lost

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/1/2003

Anahid Hovanessian 1951-2003 Ruth and George announce their wedding plans. Nate takes to the booze. A frustrated Rico finds comfort outside the home. Nate, Sr. comes and takes Claire on a tour of the afterlife and also comes to David to encourage him to make amends with Keith. Nate receives devastating news... Lisa Kimmel Fisher 1967-2003

Directors: Alan Ball
Writer: Joey Soloway
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Falling into Place
star
8.10
736 votes

#6 - Falling into Place

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/13/2004

Bruno Baskerville Walsh 1951 - 1972 Nate is having a difficult time with Lisa's death. When problems arise in how to handle her remains, he comes up with a unique solution that satisfies everyone. Brenda is attracted to her neighbor, David and Keith discuss their relationship. Claire has an uncomfortable discussion with Russell.

Directors: Michael Cuesta
Writer: Craig Wright
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The Last Time
star
8.06
813 votes

#7 - The Last Time

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/2/2002

Aaron Buchbinder 1976 - 2002 Nate is not feeling well, emotionally and physically. Something is going on inside him. Keith's work situation changes, and this creates some extra problems between him and David. Federico makes the Fisher's an offer they cannot refuse. Claire graduates from High School.

Directors: Alan Ball
Writer: Kate Robin
Watch Now:Amazon
Static
star
7.97
679 votes

#8 - Static

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/14/2005

Paul Ronald Duncan 1983 - 2005 Billy returns to help Brenda through her difficult time. An inebriated Claire rejects Ted. Rico is eager to discuss the future of the business. George wants to help Ruth tend to Maya while David is consumed with fear.

Directors: Michael Cuesta
Writer: Craig Wright
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Nobody Sleeps
star
7.94
709 votes

#9 - Nobody Sleeps

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/23/2003

Robert Lamar Giffin 1955 - 2003 A room full of men are watching an old movie and one man is cuddled up with Robert, who is attached to an IV. The last thing Robert does is laugh with his head on his lover's shoulder. Nate is having strange nightmares about what his future might bring him. Lisa is planning a major birthday dinner for Ruth, but everything will not turn out as planned. Bettina and Ruth spend some more time together, during which Bettina shows Ruth some of the better sides of life. The lover of the deceased wants to make something spectacular for his lover, and is allowed to do so. Claire ends up at a bar with her teacher, and he is flirting with her. Russell reveals something that Claire did not expect.

Directors: Alan Poul
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Death Works Overtime
star
7.94
738 votes

#10 - Death Works Overtime

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/11/2003

Dorothy Su 1945 - 2003 David Raymond Monroe 1971 - 2003 Edward Tully 1955 - 2003 Nate still can't locate Lisa. The funeral home gets a number of cases, and needs all the help they can get. Arthur tries to learn how to interact with the funeral home's customers. Rico struggles to adjust to Vanessa's sister living with them. Brenda finds her own place in a dangerous neighborhood. Claire shuns Russell's apology, argues with Oliver, and gets some shocking news.

Directors: Daniel Attias
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
I'll Take You
star
7.93
754 votes

#11 - I'll Take You

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/19/2002

Leticia Perfecta Perez 1929 - 2002 Some ladies are at the beauty parlor are getting ready for a Quinceanera (15th Birthday Party). When the stylist goes over to Leticia to see if she's done, he discovers she more than done. Nate and Brenda begin to start over, but something comes in the way, a secret Brenda is hiding. David and Keith apply to adopt Taylor. But what will the social worker think about two men living together? Federico and Vanessa gets an unexpected gift from a very unexpected place. Nikolai and Ruth's relationship takes a serious turn for the worse. Ruth also gets some wonderful news.

Directors: Michael Engler
Writer: Joey Soloway
Watch Now:Amazon
A Private Life
star
7.93
1004 votes

#12 - A Private Life

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/19/2001

Marcus Foster, Jr. March 5, 1978 - June 5, 2001 Rico and Vanessa finally have their new son. Brenda tries to handle her brother's obsessiveness and suggests he give her back her house key and start back on his medication. Billy does not react too well to this. David's feelings about his secret come closer to the surface due to a hate crime against a gay man, that the funeral home now must deal with. Ruth tries to get her son to bring up the subject, but has a very difficult time. Nate has a freakish encounter with Billy. Claire and Gabe continue their unusual relationship.

Directors: Rodrigo Garcia
Writer: Kate Robin
Watch Now:Amazon
That's My Dog
star
7.90
707 votes

#13 - That's My Dog

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/18/2004

Anne Marie Thornton 1966 - 2004 On the way home from retrieving a body, David picks up a hitchhiker, who then takes him for a ride. At the funeral home, Ruth plans to match her friend Becky, a cashier at the Fabric Shop and George's son Kyle up as a couple which George feels uncomfortable talking about. He believes she is meddling and to worry about her own children. Nate attends a Bereavement Support Group which offers little comfort. Brenda discusses her relationship with Joe to her mother Margaret over lunch. Federico attempts to break ties with Sophia, who asks that they should go out on a date.

Directors: Alan Poul
Writer: Scott Buck
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Everyone Leaves
star
7.90
670 votes

#14 - Everyone Leaves

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/4/2003

Jeanette Louise Bradford 1928 - 2003 While at a family picnic, Keith's great great aunt gets stung by a bee and dies from an allergic reaction. Vanessa seems to be out of her depression. Keith and David argue over their sexual experimentation. While in class, Russell throws a temper tantrum. Ruth discovers Arthur is a virgin. Keith decides to confront his father about his abusive treatment of him and his sister. Lisa disappears.

Directors: Daniel Minahan
Writer: Scott Buck
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Singing for Our Lives
star
7.88
610 votes

#15 - Singing for Our Lives

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/25/2005

Pilar Sandoval 1970 - 2005 Claire attends a LAC-Arts benefit show with new friend, Ted. Brenda gets news from her doctor. Ruth babysits for Durrell and Anthony. Nate and Brenda attend a service at Maggie's church.

Directors: Matt Shakman
Writer: Scott Buck
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Rainbow of Her Reasons
star
7.85
638 votes

#16 - The Rainbow of Her Reasons

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/10/2005

Fiona Lenore Kleinschmidt 1948 - 2005 Ruth is delighted when her sister Sarah calls. Claire finds a way to keep her money problems at bay. Nate reminisces about his love life while Brenda is away taking time out for a little rest and relaxation. Federico entertains an interesting offer unaware of someone's motives.

Directors: Mary Harron
Writer: Joey Soloway
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Twilight
star
7.84
693 votes

#17 - Twilight

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/18/2003

Carl Desmond Williman 1948-2003 Ruth and George's relationship takes off and David and Keith's comes to a head. Brenda helps Claire with a personal problem. Nate is frantic about Lisa.

Directors: Kathy Bates
Writer: Craig Wright
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Life's Too Short
star
7.82
1022 votes

#18 - Life's Too Short

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/29/2001

Anthony Christopher Finelli April 12, 1995 - April 21, 2001 Claire runs into Gabe again, but not under the best circumstances. His brother died and his mother and he have come to Fisher & Sons for the services. Brenda and Nate visit several different local funeral homes posing as mourning relatives in order to help Nate improve upon his salesmanship.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
Watch Now:Amazon
Knock, Knock
star
7.81
899 votes

#19 - Knock, Knock

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 8/19/2001

Lillian Grace Montrose October 4, 1936 - June 14, 2001 Tracy Montrose Blair is back but for very different reasons this time. Her Aunt Lillian has passed away and David is the only one that can help her. While David is trying to deal with Tracy's outrageous demands and cope with her ever-changing ideas, Nate is trying to deal with Brenda and her family. Interrupted from his funeral director's exam, Nate scurries over to Brenda's so he can take her to visit Billy. Ruth finally decides she doesn't want to be involved with Nikolai and gets fired because of it.

Directors: Alan Ball
Writer: Alan Ball
Watch Now:Amazon
A Coat of White Primer
star
7.80
616 votes

#20 - A Coat of White Primer

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/6/2005

Andrea Kuhn 1963 - 2004 Ruth dreads George's return from the hospital in light of his recent diagnosis; Nate and Brenda prep for a big day, but an emergency makes them reconsider; David and Keith bring up alternative parenting options for discussion; Rico navigates new waters via internet dating; and Claire enjoys domestic bliss, but crosses a line with her camera, inciting an attack from Ruth.

Directors: Rodrigo Garcia
Writer: Kate Robin
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Familia
star
7.79
1114 votes

#21 - Familia

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/24/2001

Manuel Pedro Antonio "Paco" Bolin February 6, 1980 - February 15, 2001 The Fisher family wonder if Claire might have some part to play in the blaze across the street. Nate has Brenda over for dinner and it does not seem to go as well as expected. Nate is dealing with issues from every side, including a feud between a deceased's family and gang about how to handle his services. But Nate finally gets enough courage to stand up to Gilardi and handle issues with Keith and the clients.

Directors: Lisa Cholodenko
Watch Now:Amazon
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
star
7.78
830 votes

#22 - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/21/2002

Jesse Ray Johnson 1944 - 2001 It's the one year anniversary of Nathaniel Sr's death, and it gets the whole family reminiscing. Nikolai gets seriously injured and Ruth takes him into her home to take care of him. Claire gets sucked back into her love of the not-so-good boys. David and Keith continue to grow closer. Nate gets an unexpected gift that could possibly set him free.

Directors: Alan Taylor
Writer: Scott Buck
Watch Now:Amazon
The Opening
star
7.76
702 votes

#23 - The Opening

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/27/2003

Melinda Mary Bloch 1965 - 2003 A woman packs her bags for a trip, leaving various notes around her house for specific people, and grabs a tape out of her stereo. She heads to the garage, starts her car, puts the tape in the car stereo, applies her lipstick, and shuts the garage door. Claire and Russell help Olivier prepare for the art show but Russell feels he's being slighted. Nate and Lisa talk about the possibility of them splitting up. Ruth continues to be interested in Arthur, but he doesn't want to take their relationship to the next level. Keith and David continue their threesomes.

Directors: Karen Moncrieff
Writer: Kate Robin
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Parallel Play
star
7.75
675 votes

#24 - Parallel Play

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/27/2004

Kaitlin Elise Stolte 1989 - 2003 David is training Arthur to perform more customer oriented duties. And with those responsibilities, new things are required like a new wardrobe so they go shopping. Ruth is still stressing over the poo incident, but seems temporarily at ease when the new "Mr & Mrs George Sibley" receive a beautiful gift basket full of treats, and some tricks. Nate takes Maya to a Mommy N Me class and they both meet some new friends. Brenda discovers her new friend has some interesting ideas about how their sex life should be playing out. Claire attends a party with her new friends from art school, but unfortunately Russell is there in all his glory. Claire also discovers that Edie is a lesbian, but seems more intrigued about it than anything.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: Joey Soloway
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Pilot
star
7.75
1843 votes

#25 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/3/2001

Nathaniel Fisher, Sr. 1943-2000 Meet the Fisher family. After the patriarch of the family, dies in a hearse-accident, the family comes together to mourn and decide the fate of the family Funeral Home. Nate, who works for an organic grocery store in Seattle, has to deal with more than just the death of his father. His mother, Ruth, is taking the death especially hard because she had been having an affair with her hairdresser, Hiram. David, the closeted homosexual who has helped with the business, has a difficult transition running things. Claire, the youngest of the clan, is a teenager in high-school trying to get comfortable in her own skin. On top of everything the family is already going through, they have a corporate funeral company hounding them to sell out.

Directors: Alan Ball
Writer: Alan Ball
Watch Now:Amazon