//------------------------------//
// The Funeral 
// Story: Goodbye Granny Smith 
// by grl6p 
//------------------------------//

About five days later, it was Granny Smith's wake and funeral.

In Mr. Waddle's funeral home, ponies of all ages came over to pay their respects to Ponyville's beloved founder.

When Rarity had promised Applejack that Granny Smith would look beautiful in death, she wasn't kidding. Granny Smith was wearing a red and white gingham dress and had natural looking makeup.

Applejack looked at Rarity, "Well what do you know?" she said, "You said that you would make Granny Smith look perfect for the wake and you didn't disappoint. She looks great."

Rarity smiled, "Thank you darling. I worked really hard on her dress and many of my shop customers are requesting gingham dresses now. Ooh! Maybe I should start a fashion line with country fashion-" 

Applejack left Rarity to ramble on her dressmaking and went to talk to the Crusaders, who were hanging out with Babs Seed and their classmates. 

"Howdy girls? How did you like the card Miss Cherilee and your classmates made you?"

Applebloom said, "The card was wonderful Applejack. Do you wanna see it?"

The card for Granny Smith was a piece of yellow construction paper that read 'We'll miss you Granny Smith' and had everypony in the class sign little messages on it.

Applejack smiled at the note, "Aww. That's really sweet. Hey Babs, did you tell this to any of your friends back in Manehattan?"

Babs took out a series of notes in her dress, "They sure did. I got a lot of hugs from my classmates when I first told them the news. Some of them even wrote me little sympathy cards. Hairspray, my best friend from manestyling class sent you some flowers."

"You mean the bushel of apple blossoms?"

Babs nodded, "Yep." she said, " But I just have one question. Do you think your friend went a little overboard on the decorations?"

Babs Seed was right; Pinkie Pie had decorated the funeral home in black, grey, and dark purple balloons and streamers. There was also a big banner that read 'See you in the Elysians- everypony'.

Applejack sighed, "Well, Pinkie will always be Pinkie. And I think Granny would've loved the decorations. Speaking of Granny, I'm going to talk to her."

Applejack went up to the coffin and looked at the peaceful-looking Granny Smith, "Howdy Granny. Do you like the funeral? We made it just for you. Look, everypony in town came, even the princesses. They came to say goodbye to you. You were their founder, you're the reason there even is a Ponyville. *sniff* I'm so proud of you."

She came up to Big Mac and began weeping in his arms.

Applejack then turned to see Flim and Flam, who were kneeling at the coffin paying their respects. Curious, Applejack went up to the two con-ponies.

"Howdy, it's a bit unexpected to have you two here, especially after the cider and phony tonic incidents. And what happened in Las Pegasus.”

Flim said, "Well Applejack, when Flam and I had heard about your dear grandmother passing away, we left Las Pegasus to say goodbye to Granny Smith and also apologize for those times where we drove you insane."

Flam began to tear up, "Do you think your grandmother forgives us for our actions? And can we also stay for the funeral?"

Applejack was confused at first but then pulled the two into a hug, "Of course you can. Even though you two can be pains in the flank sometimes, I still appreciate that you both cared for her."

"Thanks Applejack."

About one hour later, Granny Smith's coffin was lifted up and carried to to town hall where everypony would follow in a procession to the service.

Applejack sat down with her family and surveyed her surroundings, there was a big picture of Granny Smith displayed next to the coffin, which was still open so ponies could look at her.

Vinyl Scratch and Octavia had worked to prepare a techno/cello remix of Cloppin's 'Funeral March' which would play during the service.

Mayor Mare stepped up to the podium to start the service, "Friends, family, royalty. We have all gathered here today to say farewell to Apple family matriarch and the founder of this very town, Granny Smith. Many years ago, she and her family came to Ponyville with so they could plant their seeds. It wasn't long before Granny had ventured into the Everfree forest and worked to invent the world famous Zap Apple Jam. Her delicious apple products attracted numerous ponies from all over Equestria and together, they formed the very city we live in today. I would like us all to think about how Granny Smith has made a major impact on our lives. Her granddaughter Applejack has prepared a eulogy about her grandmother, so if we could all give her our full attention, she will now speak."

Everyone applauded as Applejack took Mayor Mare's spot on the podium.

Applejack looked around and smiled, "Wow, I never expected that so many people would turn up for this. I'm so happy that you came here for Granny Smith, which brings me to my eulogy:

Granny Smith has had an amazing impact on all of our lives. We all know her for her amazing Zap Apple Jam and wait in line every year for her to serve you our world famous cider. But Granny Smith is more than special jam or cider, for she has influenced all of us in so many ways. She has taught us that sometimes all we need is a little boost of confidence to achieve our dreams."

Applejack pointed her hoof to Silver Shill, who was sitting in the crowd drying his eyes with tissues and gave Applejack a big smile to him.

"Or that anypony can be a friend to her,

She waved at the Flim Flam brothers in one of the balconies above and the two waved back to her.

But most importantly, she had a big heart and took care of everypony. As her granddaughter, I should know. After my parents Bright Mac and Buttercup died back when me and my siblings were young, we didn't know how we would manage. But Granny Smith always has a way of fixing things. At that day, she devoted her life to helping us run Sweet Apple Acres and taking care of the three of us. Granny Smith, if you can hear me, thank you for taking care of me, Big Mac, and Applebloom since our folks died. And also, thank you for being the seed that sprouted into what we call Ponyville. If it weren't for you, we all wouldn't be standing here in this very town hall. You are responsible for bringing us all together and you truly exemplify the magic of friendship. We'll always remember you Granny. We love you."

Everyone gave a big round of applause for Applejack as she left the podium and sat back down in her seat.

Mayor Mare sniffled, "Thank you Applejack for that beautiful eulogy. Does anypony else want to say a few words about her?"

In the audience, Filthy Rich rose his hoof.

"Great, why don't you talk about your prominent product developer Mr. Rich?"

Everyone applauded as Filthy Rich stepped up to the podium, "Granny Smith has provided me with her products for many years. People will always crowd in my stores whenever her famous Zap Apple Jam hits my shelves. But Granny Smith is more than just a source of income for the Riches, she was an amazing entrepreneur. She always made her wonderful jam with love and whenever I'd eat it, I think of how Granny Smith and her family worked so hard to make this happen. Her jam will never the same without her. Thank you Granny Smith for everything. Whenever we’ll eat your Zap Apple Jam, we’ll always think of you."

Everyone clapped as he sat back down.

After several more speeches about how Granny Smith has impacted everyone, Mayor Mare called up Big Mac, Braeburn, and Bulk Biceps to be the pallbearers.

"Thank you all so much for being at this wonderful funeral. Now, if you want to, Granny Smith will be buried at the Ponyville and anyone is free to attend and afterwards, there will be a reception in the town square."

She stepped down as everyone applauded.

A lot of people ended up going to the cemetery to see Granny Smith be laid to rest.

The pallbearers placed Granny's coffin onto the burial vault on her grave, which was right next to Bright Mac and Buttercup.

Mr. Waddle began to say a prayer, "Princess Celestia, as we lower Granny Smith into the earth, make sure that she makes it safely into the Elysians. May her body be commited to the ground, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, may Granny Smith lay into the earth until her resurrection. Amen."

Everyone said, "Amen."

"The princesses will now lower Granny Smith into her grave."

Twilight, Celestia, and Luna used their horns to lower Granny Smith's coffin into the ground.

Celestia looked down at the coffin, "Thank you Granny Smith. You truly are an example of friendship."

Applejack wiped away a tear, "Thank you Celestia."

When the workers were done lowering, everyone dropped their flowers onto Granny Smith's casket.

When the grave was covered, Everypony except for the Apple siblings left, for they wanted to say one final goodbye.

Applejack got her two siblings close and hugged them as they looked at the graves of their parents and grandmother, “Thank you Granny. We'll always remember you."


The End