Sister Wives Recap: Kody Brown Uncovers Strains with Son Garrison
Kody Brown took a personal approach to laying his son Garrison Brown to rest in the latest episode of Sister Wives after Garrison’s passing in March 2024.
“I spoke with the sexton of the cemetery, who typically digs the graves,” Kody, 56, shared during the Sunday, May 18, episode of the TLC series. “I asked for permission to dig it myself. It holds significance for me; I’m not entirely sure why.”
Kody expressed that it was “profoundly emotional” for him to transport Garrison’s ashes back to his family’s home state of Wyoming and dig the grave where they would be placed.
“It’s a classic old west cemetery, and I’m going to dig the grave,” Kody noted, mentioning that his brother and brother-in-law would assist him.
As they outlined their plan for digging the grave, Kody reflected on the journey of bringing Garrison to his final resting place. (Garrison died by suicide in 2024 at the age of 25.)
“I’ve never done anything like this before. Digging a grave feels like one of the most significant tasks I’ve ever undertaken,” Kody shared with the cameras, tears welling in his eyes. “It’s my last tribute to my boy. This is my duty, my responsibility.”
After completing the task, a visibly emotional Kody set out three chairs beside the burial site to watch the sunset. The following day, Kody’s family gathered for the funeral. Garrison’s mother, Janelle Brown, and their five other children were present.
Though Kody and Janelle, 55, separated in December 2022, she shared that during the moment she passed their son’s ashes to Kody for the grave, they were “just parents” grieving their child.
Their extended family, including Kody’s ex-wives, Meri Brown and Christine Brown, along with his current wife, Robyn Brown, offered their support as well.
The family, totaling 17 children, shared memories of Garrison before his urn — crafted to resemble a Viking ship by Aspyn Brown’s husband, Mitch Thompson — was laid to rest.
Before the burial, the officiant asked attendees to remove their shoes and stand barefoot on the ground to “connect with the earth” where Garrison would soon be placed.
“The shoe removal is not a Mormon tradition; it’s not a fundamentalist one either,” Kody remarked in a confessional. “This funeral is anything but standard, and that’s exactly how Garrison would have wanted it.”
The unique service also featured the officiant — a family member — donning a Hawaiian shirt, honoring Garrison’s fondness for the style. His brothers paid their respects in an unconventional manner as well.
Paedon Brown, Christine and Kody’s son, placed his dog tags on Garrison’s grave before “pouring one out” for his brother by spilling beer on the urn.
“I have his tags, so I gave him mine. His tags will always be with me,” Paedon, 26, explained, referencing both his and Garrison’s military experiences. “I ensured mine were hung on the boat so that they remain together forever. It felt right to give him this military tribute.”
Hunter Brown, one of Kody and Janelle’s sons, shared heartfelt words before adding something to the grave.
“Garrison was my companion, my bunkmate for life. He was my rival and my best friend,” Hunter, 28, said with a chuckle. “Garrison was my first commissioned officer, and this was the hat from which I received my first salute from him.”
Kody, reflecting on a dream he had, recounted that Garrison was sitting on his bed and “wasn’t sad” about passing.
“I asked him, ‘Why are you gone, boy?’ He replied, ‘I’m not; it’s not that bad here,’” Kody recalled with a laugh, noting how Garrison jokingly asked him to “stop listening to sad music.” He emphasized that Garrison assured him he was “OK,” something he felt everyone needed to hear.
Sister Wives airs on TLC Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.
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