Death is no stranger to daytime drama, and The Young and the Restless has seen more than its fair share of shocking losses. But this summer, the soap left fans puzzled — and frankly, frustrated. Four characters were written out with barely a moment of collective mourning on-screen. Instead of emotional farewells, audiences were left with off-camera memorials and hurried mentions.

The result? Missed opportunities for heartbreak, healing, and the kind of powerhouse acting that soaps are built on.

Cole’s Sudden Goodbye

When Cole Howard (J. Eddie Peck) returned to Genoa City after decades away, fans were thrilled. His reunion with Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and the reveal that their daughter, Claire (Hayley Erin), was alive promised rich storylines. But Cole’s comeback was short-lived.

His sudden illness and death delivered strong performances from Heinle and Peck, earning recognition from soap critics. Yet, after all that buildup, Cole’s funeral happened off-screen. Viewers heard Victoria and Claire mention a service, but the scenes themselves never aired.

Imagine the power of Victoria eulogizing her lost love or Claire mourning her father in front of the Newman family. Instead, fans were denied closure — left to grieve in silence, much like the story itself.

Damian’s Missed Moment

Damian (Jermaine Rivers) wasn’t on the canvas for long, but his presence mattered. His complicated relationship with his mother, Amy (Valarie Pettiford), offered touching family drama. Just as the two were finding their way back to each other, Damian’s death cut the story short.

But instead of watching Amy mourn her son, fans were told she was sad after an off-screen memorial. Soap fans know the rule: don’t just say it — play it. A scene of Amy breaking down or Lily comforting her would have been far more powerful than characters merely talking about it after the fact.

Chance’s Forgotten Legacy

The most shocking omission was Chance Chancellor (Conner Floyd). As the grandson of Katherine Chancellor and heir to one of the show’s most iconic families, Chance’s death should have shaken Genoa City to its core. Instead, the fallout was flat.

We never saw Nina (Tricia Cast) — one of the most gifted actresses in daytime — break down at her son’s memorial. Jill (Jess Walton) was told about his passing off-camera. And there was no acknowledgment of Chance’s father Phillip, his brother Ronan, or the Chancellor family’s deep history.

If ever there was a character who deserved a grand farewell, it was Chance. His off-screen memorial felt like a disservice to fans and to the show’s own legacy.

Carter’s Short-Lived Story

Carter (Vincent Stalba) barely had time to establish himself before his exit. His shocking actions had already changed the course of storylines, yet his death passed with barely a whisper. A small on-screen service — even with just Cane and Amanda in attendance — could have added depth and revealed more about Carter’s troubled past.

Soaps thrive on drama, and funerals often deliver some of the most compelling, emotional, and character-driven moments. Denying Carter even a modest send-off robbed the show of another opportunity to tug at viewers’ hearts.

Why Funerals Matter

No one expects The Young and the Restless to linger endlessly on sadness. But funerals aren’t just about mourning — they’re about storytelling. They bring families together, expose old wounds, and give actors the chance to deliver unforgettable performances.

By skipping these key moments, the soap robbed fans of catharsis and robbed characters of the gravitas they deserved. Even one combined memorial for Cole, Damian, and Chance could have honored their lives while moving stories forward.

In Genoa City, life goes on. But for fans, these skipped farewells sting. If Y&R wants to keep its audience invested, it should remember that sometimes the most powerful drama isn’t in the twists, but in the tears.