General Hospital recap for Tuesday, November 19, 2024: Sam is buried as Lulu wakes

After Danny chased him out of the church before Sam's funeral, Lucas ended up at Julian's grave where he ran into Ava. She placed flowers on Julian's grave, saying, "My brother must be feeling awfully popular right now."

Lucas pointed out this was his first time visiting his father's grave since returning to Port Charles. Ava assured Lucas that Julian might have made many mistakes, but he loved him, Sam, and Leo. "His children meant the world to him," Ava said. She wanted to honor Julian by attending Sam's funeral, but Lucas reminded his aunt that it was best that she was not there.

"Out of respect for Sam's family, I chose to stay away. That's my reason for not being at the church today. What's yours?" Ava asked.

Lucas explained what happened with Danny at the church. "When he saw me, he got really upset. Danny thinks it's my fault his mom is dead."

Ava asked Lucas if he was. He said that he could have been, but they wouldn't know until they got the autopsy results. "I'll always wonder what more I could have done for my sister," Lucas said after Ava asked if he'd still feel guilty if the autopsy report said he did nothing wrong. Ava later assured Lucas that he was there for her, "just like my brother would want me to be."

Ava told Lucas that Julian was a lucky man because he died before his daughter did. "Burying a child is a pain I wouldn't wish on anybody, and I was glad he was spared that," Ava said.

At the church, Sam's loved ones sat somber and sad as the minister performed the service. Molly was the first of Sam's family to deliver a eulogy. A tear-filled Molly spoke of the Davis girls and how the four of them made a formidable female family. "A bonafide force to be reckoned with," she said. Molly went on to describe her late sister.

"Sam leaned more toward quiet. She was patient and open, with no interruptions and never any judgment. When I was practicing for my first trial as an official lawyer, I practiced with Sam. I think Sam heard that opening statement 35 times at minimum," Molly said.

Kristina spoke next. "Molly is so right. When it came to support, Sam gave it in spades for everyone," Kristina tearfully said. She then spoke about how Sam would be her biggest helper when she got herself in trouble. "Sam would ride to my rescue, get me back on my feet, and tell me I was strong and capable...My own personal safety net," Kristina added.

When Spinelli delivered some words, he spoke of how Sam was one of the first people in his life to ever befriend him. Spinelli recalled how Sam got him in shape so he could romance Maxie. "Sam offered me genuine friendship and respect," Spinelli said.

Carly also delivered words, recalling their past rivalry and frenemy status for many years. "When Sam got knocked down, she always came back swinging," Carly said.

Like Carly, Elizabeth also told Sam's loved ones how she and Sam didn't get along years ago but had since made amends and became friends. "We clashed. We hurt each other a lot. But I can honestly say I don't regret any of it because it made the place we got to that much sweeter. We went from being bitter rivals to co-parents raising our children...I wish we could go on growing as women and mothers but I can honestly say I'm grateful for where we landed. Thanks, Sam, for all of it," Elizabeth wistfully said.

Lucky spoke of Sam's sacrifice. His sister Lulu was dying, and only a liver transplant could save her. After Lucky's and Nikolas' livers didn't meet transplant criteria, Sam stepped up and gave a piece of her liver, which led to her death. "My family will forever be in her debt," Lucky said as Alexis sobbed.

After Lucky, Dante finally spoke. He explained how he had been in a very dark place a few years ago, but Sam helped him see the light before they fell in love. "Sam told me I could rebuild my life but what I couldn't do was take all the bad things that happened and use it as an excuse to give up," Dante told the churchgoers in a choked-up voice.

Dante next told everyone how he and Sam decided to move in together. "We threw our beautiful kids together and made this mashup of a family and a home. Sam was the best mom. She was the most incredibly supportive partner. But she also happened to be the most badass outfielder the PCPD softball team has ever seen," Dante joked as he held back tears.

Rocco soon took to the podium and told everyone how Sam was a mom to him while his own mom was in a coma. "A mom, she treats you differently not because you share DNA but because she thinks you're special. That was Sam," Rocco said. "Sam gave me a lot, but by far, the best thing she gave me was my brother and sister. Dad and I got a family when we really needed one...That's what we'll always be. A family."

Jason spoke next, reminding people that Sam knew he was never a good public speaker. Jason talked of his love for Sam. "I'm grateful for the years that we spent together. I'm grateful for our son, who we both love very much. I'm grateful for Sam...She was one of the bravest and toughest people I've ever known," Jason said.

Danny took to the podium after his dad and spoke of things Sam loved. "She loved a good leather jacket, black obviously. She said a good one lasts a lifetime. Scout, we're going to keep hers so you can wear it when you're older," Danny told his sister.

Finally, Sam's mom spoke. Alexis started with notes but soon pushed them aside and spoke from the heart. Alexis explained that she and Sam never truly met until she was an adult. "I have to tell you that the two greatest joys in my life were us finding each other and then choosing each other. You say you can't choose your family, but we did," Alexis said. "I didn't just love my daughter. I really, really liked her. And I knew my leather-clad beauty would have my back at any given time...I have decided that the only way to honor my beautiful, brave girl was to be brace like she was," Alexis added.

Once the service was over, Gio played the violin as Sam's friends and family exited the church in tears. Alexis was the only one to remain, but Kristina and Molly circled back to sit with their mother and offer her comfort. "I just want one last moment with all my girls," Alexis said as she remembered good times with Sam.

The scene then switched to Lulu lying in her coma at Turning Wood. Suddenly, Lulu's eyes flashed open for the first time in four years.

Next on General Hospital

Elizabeth gives Lucky advice.

Sam's autopsy report arrives.

Jason asks Danny to keep a secret.

Cyrus promises to take care of Lulu.

You can watch full episodes of General Hospital on ABC and Hulu.