Who Will Be At The Big 'Grey's Anatomy' Funeral?

I’m not sure that any of us are emotionally prepared for Derek Shepherd’s funeral on Grey’s Anatomy, but it’s here and we are going to have to brave through two hours of what will be a roller coaster of emotions. His untimely death happened so fast and alas, the funeral is already upon us. Fans have been speculating like crazy over which former Grey's Anatomy cast members could return to pay their respects and support Meredith at the funeral. While there haven’t been any hints or confirmations about who we might see in Thursday night's episode, we can still hope for the return of a favorite character.

Over the past week there has been much speculation over where Grey's Anatomy will go from here. Now that Derek is gone, many fans are convinced that the show is going to suffer. This may upset some people, but I think Derek’s death is the only thing that could have kept this show alive. His death is pushing the story along and giving the series a ton of new material to work with. Yes, I am devastated, but I’m also tuning in because I want to see this whole new world that Meredith will face.

But first, we have to officially say goodbye to McDreamy. Let's get ready for Thursday's emotional episode by figuring out which past characters are most and least likely surprise us at the funeral.

Cristina Yang

I was looking for clues that Cristina would come back for the funeral to be there for Meredith, and when someone asked TV Line's Michael Ausiello about the possibility, he delivered the perfect response. “If Grey’s did manage to coax Sandra Oh back for an episode, don’t you think ABC would’ve teased the hell out of it in the promos for this week’s episode?” So. True. However, maybe we could at least get a condolence call from Yang?

Addison Montgomery

I really think that if any of our former favorites return for the funeral, it will be Addison Montgomery. I mean, she was married to Derek and Kate Walsh has stated in the past that she would be down to guest star on the series. “There's always that possibility. It's really up to Shonda [Rhimes],” she told E! Online in 2012. Yes, please!

Carolyn Shepherd

In case you forgot, the wonderful Tyne Daly played Derek’s mother for the one episode we saw her in 2009. It would be great if they got Daly to come back one last time. Plus, it doesn't look like she’s filming anything at the moment.

Izzie Stevens

Yeah, I’m going to go ahead and say that after all the very public drama surrounding Katherine Heigl's departure, she's one of the least likely cast members to return. Though Heigl has addressed and denied rumors about her being difficult to work with on the series, she did make the following statement she made after being nominated for an Emmy for her performance on Grey's.

I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization, I withdrew my name from contention. In addition, I did not want to potentially take away an opportunity from an actress who was given such materials.

I have a feeling the series' writers wouldn't exactly be itching to write her homecoming.

Preston Burke

I never thought Grey's would bring Burke back after Isaiah Washington dropped a gay slur on the set, which he told People it was not directed at co-star TR Knight like many people believed, but he did return for Cristina’s final episode. That makes a surprise appearance from Burke very possible.

Renee Collier

Name not sounding familiar? Collier is the woman Derek literally just made out with in D.C. Want to fuel the fire? Have this woman show up at his funeral. It may infuriate everyone watching, but it would definitely add some drama to the episode, so I wouldn’t count her out just yet.

Teddy Altman

I kind of miss Teddy. I know, she got in the way of Cristina and Owen’s relationship, but she and Henry were adorable together and it would be nice to see her again. Back when actress Kim Raver left, Shonda Rhimes put out the following statement.

Kim's series option was up and she was ready to give Teddy Altman a much-needed vacation. It's been a pleasure working with someone as talented and funny and kind as Kim; everyone is going to miss her terribly. I like to imagine that Teddy is still out there in the Grey's Anatomy universe, running Army Medical Command and building a new life.

It seems like Raver left on very good terms, so maybe Teddy will come back to say goodbye to Derek.

Nancy Shepherd

Nothing stirs up drama like a sister-in-law who doesn't really like you. Nancy appeared on Grey's once in 2006 to convince Derek to get back together with Addison, and she was not a fan of Meredith. But who knows, maybe the tides have turned. However, according to her IMDB page, actress Embeth Davidtz is shooting a mini-series called The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe right now, so she might not have time to attend the funeral.

Liz Shepherd

Hopefully if Liz Shepherd does return, Neve Campbell will reprise her role. She was only in two episodes, but you have to assume that all of Derek's sisters would want to be there, right? Most people remember Liz the most (besides Amelia of course) because she showed up in 2012. I think she is the most likely Shepherd to return, and I'd be more than happy to see her.

Of course, all of these people could return and it still wouldn't distract from the heartbreaking task at hand: saying a final farewell to Doctor Derek Shepherd.

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