It was an emotional episode of Sister Wives on Sunday night time (Might 18) as household and pals gathered for the funeral of Garrison Brown, the son of Janelle and Kody Brown, who died by suicide at 25 on March 5, 2024.
The TLC actuality sequence offered an inside take a look at the funeral service, which passed off at Penrose Cemetery in Byron, Wyoming, the place Garrison’s grandmother Cheryl can be buried. Earlier than the footage aired, a title card learn, “On the household’s request, cameras had been positioned at a distance through the burial to respect their privateness,” per Individuals.
Talking to the cameras earlier than the service, Janelle mentioned she felt “numb” and didn’t “actually have any emotions.” Her estranged husband, Kody, added, “There’s going to be some awkwardness nonetheless,” referring to the breakdown of his polygamous marriage over the previous few years.
Kody additionally defined how he’d requested permission to dig the grave the place his son’s urn can be buried. “It means one thing to me. I don’t know why. It’s one thing deeply emotional,” he said. “I’ve by no means accomplished something like this, digging a grave. I believe this is likely one of the most essential issues I’ve ever accomplished. It’s the final ode to my boy.”
Janelle later spoke about Kody’s gesture, saying, “I believed it was good. I believe it’s symbolic and poetic and all of the issues to have Kody dig that gap.”
Garrison Brown Instagram
Mitch Thompson, the husband of Christine Brown‘s daughter Aspyn Thompson, used his carpentry abilities to carve an urn formed like a Viking ship as a tribute to Garrison, who was a fan of Norse tradition. Janelle handed the urn to Kody, who then positioned it into the bottom.
“There’s some symbolism in me handing him to Kody,” Janelle mentioned.
Kody’s brother-in-law, Tim, made a speech on the service, opening by saying “marriage” is the rationale they’re all there, which had everybody laughing.
“We’re all the time going to discover a option to discover humor, and we’re going to get pleasure from life,” Tim added, per Individuals. “None of us, aside from a mom who’s had this set of occasions, will perceive a mom’s anguish. None of us, besides a father who’s been on this circumstance, will perceive a father’s regret.”
He continued, “Then again, in time, a mom will perceive solely a mom’s pleasure, a father will solely perceive a father’s delight. And this mortality is about studying methods to embrace each side of the expertise.”
Family and friends, together with Garrison’s brother Hunter, then positioned sentimental objects within the grave beside the urn.
“He’s lastly right here. He’s lastly at relaxation,” Janelle mentioned. “It’s completed. This a part of the journey is completed.
The household lays Garrison to relaxation, tonight on Sister Wives.
If you happen to or somebody you already know is struggling or in disaster, assist is on the market. Name or textual content 988 to achieve the Suicide & Disaster Lifeline or chat at https://t.co/aXTqjIURZQ
sister pic.twitter.com/AryjHw4fFF— TLC Community (@TLC) Might 18, 2025
Followers took to social media to react to the extremely emotional episode, with one Instagram consumer writing, “I hate it needed to be this, however I like to see the entire household collectively. Coming from an enormous household, that was one among my favourite issues about this present.”
“I really feel so unhealthy for Janelle. I can’t think about 💔,” mentioned one other.
“By this loss of life and the household coming collectively, they may probably heal and possibly that’s what he wished,” one other added.
Others had been mad that Kody didn’t seem to care about Garrison whereas he was alive, with one consumer writing, “Kody in case you wished to honor your son, maybe you must of been a person and known as him whereas he was alive as a substitute of being a dictator.”
“He ought to have honor him whereas he was alive. If he needs to do it know than he must reconnect with the children alive,” one other mentioned.
“Ironic that Kody is digging the grave. He dug that grave years in the past,” wrote one other.
“It’s very unhappy that it took Garrison passing away for the entire household to get collectively and for Kody to lastly care about his son,” one other added.
One other mentioned, “This present wants to finish out of respect for him.”
If you happen to or anybody you already know is having suicidal ideas, please contact the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or dial 988. If you happen to or a liked one are in quick hazard, name 911.
Sister Wives, Sundays, 10/9c, TLC