Trigger Warning: This story contains mentions of suicide.
On Sunday’s episode of Sister Wives, viewers watched as Kody Brown chose to dig his late son Garrison Brown’s grave, claiming the act was something “deeply emotional” for him.
As fans of ‘Sister Wives’ know, Garrison– son of Kody and ex-wife Janelle Brown– died by suicide in March 2024. He was 25 years old.
The Brown family explained on a recent episode that Garrison had been cremated and that his remains would be buried at a cemetery in Wyoming next to two of his grandparents, including Janelle’s mom, Cheryl, whom Kody said had “probably nurtured Garrison as much as any of us.”
While Garrison’s final resting place was meaningful to the entire family, Kody said that being the one to dig Garrison’s grave was something that meant a lot to him personally.
“Here’s the thing,” Kody explained on the episode. “I talked to the sexton of the cemetery and he’s the one that would normally dig the graves. I just asked him [for] permission if I could dig it. It means something to me. I don’t know why. It’s something deeply emotional.”
Joining Kody at the gravesite were his brother, Scott, and brother-in-law, Tim, whom Kody said were two of “the men who nurtured” Garrison “into maturity.”
Kody explained that while the three men weren’t “digging a grave big enough for a coffin,” he still wanted “to make it a little big bigger.”
“I want the experience of doing some real effort here,” Kody said. “Just trying to honor my son as best I can.
“I don’t even know if it’s honor or it’s mourning,” he continued.
Kody also told viewers that while he had never dug a grave before, the fact that he was getting to do it for Garrison made it “one of the most important things” he had ever done.
“It’s the last ode to my boy,” he added.
As fans of ‘Sister Wives’ know, Kody was estranged from Garrison at the time of his passing. Despite this, Janelle told viewers on Sunday’s episode that she supported Kody wanting to be the one to dig their son’s grave.
“You know, Kody contacted me about being the one who dug the grave,” Janelle told viewers. “I thought it was perfect. I think it’s symbolic and poetic and all the things to have Kody dig that hole.”
The day after Kody and his brothers dug the grave, Garrison’s extended plural family joined Kody and Janelle for a graveside service. (Kody’s wife Robyn Brown and their children, as well as Kody’s other ex-wives Christine Brown and Meri Brown were present, in addition to Garrison’s other siblings.)
Janelle stated that, although she and Kody are no longer together, they put their differences aside for the special moment for their son. Janelle was the one who passed Garrison’s ashes to Kody, who put them in the grave. She told cameras that, in that moment, she and Kody were “just parents” mourning their son together.
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During the funeral, the family removed their shoes so that they could feel “better connected to the earth” that would become Garrison’s final resting spot. Kody explained that this act had no religious significance.
“The theme about taking off the shoes, it’s not a Mormon thing. It’s not a fundamentalist Mormon thing,” Kody said. “This funeral is not cookie-cutter by any means. And that would be how Garrison would have [wanted] it.”
Some of Garrison’s siblings gave speeches graveside to honor their brother, although Paedon‘s act was a bit controversial. After spilling beer over Garrison’s urn, Paedon explained that he was “pouring one out” for his brother. He also placed his own military dog tags on the urn— which was custom-built by Aspyn Brown‘s husband Mitch Thompson to look like a Viking ship— and explained that he will keep Garrison’s dog tags on him forever. (Both Paedon and Garrison— as well as Kody and Janelle’s son Hunter— have served in the military.)
“I have yours, you have mine,” Paedon told Garrison.
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Hunter added a hat to the grave and also spoke at the service, telling the crowd, “Garrison was my playmate. He was my bunkmate for all of my life. He was my arch nemesis and my best friend and beloved brother. Garrison was my first commissioned officer, and this was my hat that I got my first salute from Garrison in.”
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(Photos: TLC; Instagram)
12 Responses
Please let us see farther back than the 5th page. Sad Face.
If anything I would hope that Kody will realize how very short life can be. He had the choice to shut off all his kids from Meri, Janelle and Christine, always referring to them as their kids, not his. I find that incredibly sad. Every time he said “my boy” I cringed. Where in the hell was he when “his boy” was hurting all those years due to him and Robyn and their selfish acts? Sorry but I was not impressed with his digging the grave. You do reap what you sow in life. Kody has to make a lot of amends to his remaining children and the best thing Robyn can do is stay the hell out of it.
The whole “my boy” thing annoyed me. He has spent so many years referring to the kids as “Janelle’s kids” and now all the sudden he wants to claim him when it works for his narrative
How many “I” statements can be worked into a conversation about someone else’s death?
He’s such a narcissist. “My boy”…you mean the one you wanted Janelle to kick out of her home?! The one you hadn’t spoken to for years because he wouldn’t bend to your will?! I can barely pay attention during his “world according to Grody” segments. He’s the walking, talking embodiment of the “ick” and his wife and their Flowers in the Attic children, good grief.
You nailed it perfectly with reference to “flowers in the attic.” Those kids really creep me out.
Excellent summary. I totally agree with every word.
I feel sorry for those kids. The 2 daughters are adults yet they have to ask permission to go to church? The 2 younger ones really look lost. I am willing to bet the older son told Robyn and Kody “hell no more more putting me on camera”. One can only imagine what Kody and Robyn have filled those kids minds concerning the rest of the family.
It means something to him alright, another episode and another paycheck .
Too bad Garrison didn’t mean anything to him while he was still alive
Mick you really nailed it. Garrison meant so much to Kody that Kody was pressuring Janelle to kick him out of the house. I can only wonder how the rest of Janelle’s kids feel.