For 11 seasons, Modern Family unit touched base on all of the ups and downs a close-knit family goes through. As a mockumentary, Mod Family is a comedy above everything else but in that location are emotional moments that pull on viewers' heartstrings.

Every bit is the case with millions of households, kids grow up and move out of the house, divorces happen, and moves are fabricated. As funny and cluttered as the little moments are in life, there's a whole lot of love in this family that shouldn't be diminished. By the finale, each graphic symbol had growth but at that place were a lot of emotional moments in between.

Updated on November 18th, 2021, by Lynn Gibbs: As hilarious and upbeat as mockumentaries are,Modern Family's emotional moments prove that it touches base on all areas of family unit life. The Dunphys, Delgado-Pritchetts, and Tucker-Pritchetts have had so many highs and lows that fans flocked to the show due to its relatability.

Fifty-fifty some of the saddest Modern Family episodes had an inspiring message by the terminate to bring the whole thing together. Whether information technology was Manny coping without his biological father or Phil adapting to life without his parents, there certain were some pitiful Modern Family episodes sprinkled throughout the comedy.

"The Storm" - Jay'southward Friend Passes And He Tries To Drinkable In His Honour

In 'The Storm,' Jay finds out a close friend of his from the Army passed away. It was a tradition in his friend grouping to go to the nearest Irish gaelic pub for a beer to toast the fallen whenever something like that happened. But on this night, the storm made it impossible to get out the house.

Phil saw how much information technology meant to Jay, so he gave him a beverage and a Saint Patrick's Day ornament to make information technology feel like he was at a pub. The two drank in silence. Dare2Firmino wrote, "That for me is the greatest Phil-Jay moment in the show. I've watched it multiple times simply it nevertheless gets me emotional every single fourth dimension."

"The Cupboard Case" - Sanjay Dumps Alex

Alex Dunphy had a few honey interests throughoutModern Family but none striking her harder than Sanjay. Sanjay was her beginning love and in 'The Closet Case,' her eye's broken when he breaks up with her for someone else.

It was bad timing only Luke and Manny came to visit Alex solely for the sake of flirting with college students. Alex was in despair and in no shape to host her brother and cousin. She instead lied on her bed and cried. Luke couldn't ignore his sister and tried consoling her. NoahProblem said, "[Luke's] words were somewhat awkward but his willingness to abandon his date to stay with Alex showed his middle was in the right place."

"Good Grief" - DeDe Dies And The Pritchett Kids Are Remorseful

It'due south said early on that Mitch and Claire never had a good relationship with their mom, DeDe. Claire had some toxic tendencies with her mom and the two were e'er grouse. Simply that bickering stopped in 'Skilful Grief' when the entire family unit found out that DeDe had passed abroad.

The entire family unit shared their proficient and bad stories of DeDe to grieve her memory but it came apparent to Claire that she didn't demand to sugarcoat her hard feelings with her mom just considering she died. According to Username6702, the end of the episode is when the waterworks came. They toldReddit the saddest moment was "When Claire and Mitch listen to the last voicemail from DeDe." It was the last viewers would hear her phonation.

"Legacy" - Phil'south Dad Died Unexpectedly

Phil has always been close with his dad Frank. He looked upwardly to Frank and wanted to be like him in every way. In flavor 11, nonetheless, Phil realized how quondam his dad was getting and that their remaining years together could be limited.

When Frank eventually passed, ThereWasToBePollen toldReddit, "Even thinking about how Phil said 'I had i of the best days with my dad… I just didn't know it would be the last' gets me all teary-eyed. Ty'south delivery and the truth of that line is so heartbreaking." It was one of Phil's best quotes.

"Don't Push" - Haley Doesn't See Her Worth

In that location were plenty of things that didn't e'er brand sense about Haley, only she had these rare moments on photographic camera that shined a light on her true self. 'Don't Push' isn't supposed to be a sad episode as the Dunphys are touring Caltech with Alex, but Haley had a moment of reflection.

Subsequently Haley, Phil, and Luke idea they were in some kind of scientific examination of intelligence, Haley let her truthful feelings out. HappyWalshx said when "Haley says 'Even someone every bit dumb equally me tin see that I'm a behemothic failure.' it stung considering you could tell how much that was bubbling upwardly for years." They connected maxim, "Everyone was constantly analytical and taking shots at her intelligence, and it clearly hurt her a lot more than her family realized."

"Schooled" - Haley Leaves Home For College

In 'Schooled,' Claire and Phil take an emotional day ahead of them as they driblet Haley off at college. As the firstborn, it's a big deal for the family as Haley'southward transformation is close to being completed. The mean solar day doesn't go exactly as Phil and Claire had planned because Haley is anxious to go them out of her pilus. Only equally presently as her parents left, emotions prepare in.

One of the saddest moments is when Phil and Claire are on their fashion habitation in a repose car and Haley calls to thank them for everything they've washed for her. Information technology finally kicks in for her that she was out of the nest. PeppasSecret toldReddit, "I don't know exactly why I cried but I felt something. She obviously was used to being with her parents and for the first time e'er, I related to Haley."

"Under Pressure level" - Alex Tells Claire Almost Her Workload

Afterward Alex has a nervous breakdown from studying as well much, she goes to therapy to sort out her emotions. In a raw and honest scene, viewers see an inside look at Alex's brain. Life has not been like shooting fish in a barrel for Alex and she felt lone. Amongst her family members, Alex was the but one who felt this overwhelming pressure to succeed. At this moment, Alex felt like the show'south main graphic symbol due to the pressure she felt like the "smart one" in the family unit.

By the finish of the episode, Claire apologizes for not recognizing how hard information technology's been for her girl. The 2 hug as Alex bawls her eyes out on her mother'south breast. 95Lemo agreed information technology was one of the near emotional moments in the series, writing, "Definitely Alex telling the therapist that her own family does not get her. That went really deep, honestly."

"Finale: Part 2" - The Family Moves On

No one was ready for Mod Family to terminate after 11 seasons. The characters were all going off in different directions. The Tucker-Pritchetts were moving to Missouri, Haley and Dylan were moving out of the Dunphys home, Luke was heading off to college...things were changing. The cast changed a lot from the pilot to the finale.

Before Cam, Mitch, and Lily leave for the airport, the unabridged family has a grouping hug and finds information technology difficult to let go. Viewers cried as the characters cried. E_bee_bee explained that the evidence had been a role of their life for a long time and in a lot of ways the characters felt familiar to them. They toldReddit, "1000 odern Family felt comfortable, it felt similar habitation and I'm going to miss it and then much."

"Spuds" - Jay's Speech communication Near Family unit

When the entire family unit winds upwards at the same restaurant for dinner, they cease up sitting together and reminiscing nearly the constant life changes. Jay has a minor back injury and is on pain medication that makes him "too emotional." He and so gives a oral communication that unintentionally makes everyone tear upwardly. Jay wasn't always the well-nigh likable character but his soft side grew throughout the serial.

He talks about how quicklykids grow upwardly and that parents never have a take a chance to bask in their growth because they're too busy catching up with who their kids are in the present. When he said, "You never know the terminal time y'all choice upward your child," everyone bawled. DorkyFoxx926 agreed and wrote, "I merely cry whenever Jay [cries]. I don't know why. He's a tough quondam homo, but when he showed his soft spot it'south merely got the feel."

"Make clean Out Your Junk Drawer" - Jay Breaks Down At Family Therapy

In 'Clean Out Your Junk Drawer,' the adults undergo group therapy to overcome by traumatic events. Jay is annoyed from the beginning but he has no choice but to participate.

Past the end of the 24-hour interval, Jay has had plenty of therapy. He gives a long speech about imagining what his dad would think of him right now if he was nonetheless alive. Talking nearly your feelings was not a "manly" thing to practise. Jay claims he didn't even weep at his dad's funeral, which upset other guests because they causeless Jay didn't love his dad. Jay's admission helped viewers empathise him better. QueenJellyRoll toldReddit that they cried when Jay said, "Everybody looking at me similar I didn't love him... simply he knew!— He had to know, correct?" It was one of his best, softer moments.

"Goodnight, Gracie" - The Family Mourns Phil's Mom

It was a pitiful day when the entire family travels to Florida to say cheerio to Phil'south mom, Gracie. The Dunphys are especially emotional, and Phil has a job to complete before leaving town. Although viewers never saw Gracie, she was one of the saddest character deaths because of how upset Phil was.

Earlier his mom died, she left a letter for Phil to set his dad up with a neighbor nearby named Annie. Gracie idea she was the only suitable woman for Frank and didn't want anyone to have advantage of him. Information technology's hard for Phil, but he approaches Annie to relay the message. With tears in his optics, he tells her what an amazing woman Gracie was and how she used to requite him soup when he was sick and knit him sweaters. ModernSchitt wrote, "Phil talking about his mother before her funeral, it'due south absolutely cute and so unexpected, such cracking acting."

"Bulletin Received" - Mitchell Tells Jay Non To Come up To His Wedding ceremony

Mitch and Cam didn't always make sense in their relationship but they did love and trust one some other. Their devotion was shown when they planned their wedding and encountered speedbump after speedbump. And sadly, Jay isn't helpful in the slightest. Mitchell has enough of his dad being unsupportive and tells him off.

Mitchell compares his wedding ceremony to Claire's and assumes his dad is embarrassed because he doesn't support gay marriage and told him not to come to their wedding. Reflectiveruse wrote the saddest part was after this scene when Mitch was in the car. "Specially when [Mich] holds tears back in the car and his voicemail to Phil from years ago plays over the scene," they toldReddit.

"Baby On Board" - Mitchell And Cam Are Denied Adopting A 2d Child

When Lily gets a niggling older, Mitch and Cam want to adopt another kid. And when the adoption agency calls them and says a baby was up for adoption that day, they bulldoze to the infirmary every bit fast they can to welcome the newest addition to their family.

Sadly, too many family members get involved and Mitch and Cam never end up getting their baby. Another shot at parenthood was taken away. They both weep on the way dwelling and talk virtually how tired they are. Melvin8 appreciated the show'southward raw storyline and toldReddit, "I loved that they did address the emotions that come from thinking they were going to come home with a baby, and so having that dream ripped away. It was really heartbreaking."

"Female parent's Day" - Jay Cries On Mother'southward Day

Jay tries to be a macho man who doesn't allow his truthful emotions out. But the older he gets, the more he opens up. Throughout the series, Jay and Phil aren't always friends considering Jay finds Phil irritating, but in 'Female parent'southward Day,' they team up to make a recipe from Jay'south mom'south cookbook. He makes sure to simply add the things that his female parent wrote down.

However, while Phil is reading the recipe, an old note from Jay to his female parent falls out — an adorable recipe for "the perfect mom." As Phil reads the annotation, Jay begins to cry. It was one of the first sensitive moments fans saw of Jay. ThePluralOfMooses wrote, "There'south a scene where he'due south crying about his mom while telling a story about her sticking upward for him" that really made them sorry.

"The Bicycle Thief" - Javier Flakes On Plans With Manny

Javier is a caring homo but he's not a groovy dad to Manny. He didn't aid Gloria as a single mom and he rarely sees Manny equally he grows. Even so, when Jay and Gloria are newlyweds, Manny misses his absent dad more than than ever. In 'Bicycle Thief,' Javier is supposed to take Manny to Disneyland for the weekend and Manny sits on the curb all day waiting for his dad to come up.

Sadly, he never does. For some, it didn't make sense that Manny cared and then much for the man who was rarely around. Utopia27 recognized how emotional this scene was and wrote, "When Manny was waiting exterior for his dad and Jay pretends his dad has sent a motorcar to take him somewhere special when really he'd just bailed. Makes me emotional every fourth dimension!"

NEXT: x Things That Make No Sense About Manny On Mod Family

The Boys: Diabolical: Every Episode'southward Blitheness Style & Inspiration Explained

About The Author

Lynn Gibbs (1585 Articles Published)

Lynn is a nomad who travels the earth on the hunt for her adjacent adventure with her married man. A lover of being outside (and finding the best latte in town), Lynn is typically hiking, walking, or jogging when she'south not focusing on her love of writing. When it comes to shows streaming on Netflix or annihilation Bravo-related, Lynn's your gal.

More From Lynn Gibbs