Kody Brown is mourning his son’s death in a unique way. The 56-year-old “Sister Wives” star announced the death of his son Garrison, whom he shares with his ex-wife Janelle Brown, 56, on March 5, 2024. Garrison was 25 years old when he died by suicide.
In the newest episode of the hit reality show, which aired May 18 on TLC, Kody Brown arrived at Penrose Cemetery in Byron, Wyoming, where the family chose to have Garrison buried.
But instead of having the sexton dig the grave, Kody Brown wanted to do it himself. “Here’s the thing. I talked to the sexton of the cemetery, and he’s the one that would normally dig the graves,” Kody Brown explained in a confessional, per People.
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“I just asked him (for) permission if I could dig it. It means something to me. I don’t know why,” he added. “It’s something deeply emotional.”
Cameras followed Kody Brown as he, his brother, Scott, and his brother-in-law, Tim, dug a hole big enough for an urn. Kody Brown later admitted that he didn’t know how big the urn was because it wasn’t made yet.
“Mitch, my son-in-law, married to Aspyn, is making something different and I don’t know what it looks like yet,” Kody Brown explained to the cameras.
“For the act of effort in this, because we’re not digging a grave big enough for a coffin, I’m going to make it a little bit bigger than certainly that I need for this urn,” he continued.
He also wanted “the experience of doing some real effort” in honor of his son. “Just trying to honor my son as best I can. I don’t even know if it’s honor.
It’s mourning,” he added. The urn, which was later revealed in a clip of the emotional funeral service, was designed to look like a Viking ship due to Garrison’s strong interest in Norse culture.
His ashes were buried alongside other family members. “My dad is buried here,” Kody Brown shared. “My mom will be. Janelle’s mom, Grandma Cheryl, is buried here.”
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“It’s just the place and we can see this mountain over here. It’s called the Heart Mountain and it’s familiar to me,” he continued. Kody Brown then explained how he wanted Garrison “buried right next to Cheryl” because she “nurtured Garrison as much as any of us.” “And I’m putting Garrison in grandma’s arms,” he added.
Kody Brown went on to describe digging the grave as “one of the most important things” he had ever done. “It’s the last ode to my boy,” he added.
In a confessional of her own, Janelle Brown, who announced her separation from Kody Brown in 2022, praised her ex-husband for wanting to dig their son’s grave himself.
“I thought it was perfect,” she said. “I think it’s symbolic and poetic and all the things to have Kody dig that hole.” Kody Brown was appreciative of his ex-wife’s blessing.
“I asked her if I could do this and she was kind and gracious,” Kody Brown added, per E! News. “She said, ‘I think that’d be really sweet,’ and I’m glad that she saw it that way because I need this.”
Aside from Garrison, Janelle and Kody Brown share five children together, including sons Logan, Hunter and Gabriel, and daughters Savanah and Madison, per People.
Kody Brown also shares six children with ex-wife Christine Brown, one child with ex-wife Meri Brown and five children with current wife Robyn Brown.
