In one of the most emotionally gripping episodes of Sister Wives, the Brown family comes together to honor the life and legacy of Garrison Brown, son of Janelle and Kody Brown. The episode begins with a somber journey to Wyoming, where the family prepares to lay Garrison to rest near land owned by Kody’s late father. The burial site, which also holds Janelle’s mother, serves as a deeply symbolic place—one that now becomes Garrison’s final resting ground.
The tone is heartbreaking from the start. For Janelle, the pain of losing her son is unbearable. She bravely tries to stay composed by immersing herself in helping her grandchildren and organizing family activities. But despite her efforts to remain busy, the grief is raw and persistent. Janelle’s emotional declaration—”No mother should ever have to bury her child”—cuts deep and encapsulates the profound sorrow she carries. By her side, as always, is Christine, who offers unwavering support. Despite her dislike of fishing, Christine joins in activities just to comfort Janelle, proving once again the strength of their bond.
While some family members strive to hold each other close, others remain distant—both emotionally and physically. Kody and Robyn, though present in Wyoming, keep themselves apart from the group. They seem more engaged in enjoying the scenery, riding horses, and reminiscing about Kody’s family land than sharing in the shared grief. Their detachment is noticeable and painful to others, especially Janelle, who observes that Kody’s estrangement from their children hasn’t been mended—even after such a tragic loss. “He still hasn’t learned,” she reflects, as she watches him remain at arm’s length from his living kids.
Despite the emotional weight, one silver lining emerges: Garrison’s passing brings the siblings closer than ever. Old wounds begin to heal as the children unite in mourning and love for their lost brother. In a poignant moment, Janelle asks Kody to dig Garrison’s grave—a task heavy with symbolism. Kody accepts, claiming it to be a “pilgrimage” of sorts. While he says the labor brings him some peace, viewers can’t help but wonder where this dedication was when Garrison was still alive. Kody, seemingly overwhelmed by guilt, admits that this act may be his only way of showing penance.
The funeral itself is heart-wrenching yet filled with deep, personal touches. A title card respectfully notes that cameras were kept at a distance during the actual service. Janelle, visibly drained, admits she is numb and bewildered by the loss. “How did we get here?” she asks, voicing the sorrow shared by many grieving parents.
Leading the service is Tim, Kody’s brother-in-law, who delivers a eulogy in a Hawaiian shirt—a nod to Garrison’s dream of starting a fun, floral shirt business called Bob’s Floral. His words walk a delicate line between lighthearted humor and sincere emotion, even subtly acknowledging the regret and pain felt by the family, especially Kody. In a symbolic act, Janelle hands Kody the urn to place in the grave—a moment she later admits carried emotional significance. 
One of the most moving tributes came from Christine’s son-in-law, Mitch, who hand-carved Garrison’s urn into a Viking ship, honoring Garrison’s love for Norse mythology. One by one, family members approached the grave to place items of personal importance. Paedon placed Garrison’s military service tags, Hunter left the helmet Garrison gave him during his first salute, and others sprinkled dirt or added mementos. The ceremony ends with a symbolic gesture—Tim asks everyone to remove their shoes and feel the earth beneath them, grounding themselves in the present and the pain of the moment.
Even in the aftermath of the service, tensions linger. At the family’s rental home, Madison confesses that she’s still angry with her father, Kody, but unsure of how to express it constructively. A surprise appearance by Leon—formerly Mariah—adds a moment of quiet support. Although nearly unrecognizable in his new identity, his presence speaks volumes about the importance of family unity, even in times of division.
Meanwhile, Gabe Brown, who was extremely close to Garrison, becomes a central figure in the three-part tribute. It was Gabe who found his brother after his tragic death by suicide. His recollection of that day left viewers in tears, but also impressed by his strength and resilience. Despite his strained relationship with Kody over the years—including moments where Kody forgot his birthday—Gabe is finding a way to heal. He’s even started engaging with fans through Cameo, charging modest fees for personalized videos, offering everything from messages to light-hearted “tea.” This venture has brought him joy, and he appears to be in better spirits as he moves forward with his life.
As the episode closes, we get a rare moment of raw vulnerability from Kody. Overcome with guilt, he admits that the grief comes in waves, crashing down on him unexpectedly. “I can’t run from it,” he confesses, revealing the weight of both sorrow and regret. He speaks about holding Garrison as a baby, rocking him to sleep, and now living with the unbearable reality that his son is gone. Kody is not only mourning the death of his child but is also haunted by the strained relationship they had in Garrison’s final days.
Ultimately, Sister Wives delivers a heart-wrenching but respectful farewell to Garrison Brown. The episode is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of healing fractured relationships before it’s too late. It’s also a tribute to a young man who was deeply loved—even if that love was sometimes buried beneath misunderstanding, distance, and pain. The hope remains that through this tragic loss, the Brown family might find their way back to each other.
For fans of Sister Wives, this episode is one of the most emotional yet—and an important chapter in the family’s ongoing story. Tune in to TLC’s Sister Wives Sundays to continue following their journey.
