Sister Wives star Kody Brown finds healing through manual labor after son’s suicide
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When grief strikes, we find meaning in the strangest places.
For Kody Brown, that place was six feet under Wyoming soil, shovel in hand.
A Father’s Painful Choice
Kody couldn’t explain why he needed to dig Garrison’s grave himself.
Something about the physical labor spoke to his broken heart.
The cemetery sexton usually handles this task, but Kody felt drawn to it like a moth to flame.
Family Bonds Beyond Death
He didn’t work alone that day. Brother Scott and brother-in-law Tim joined him, men who helped raise Garrison.
Together they dug through Wyoming earth, making space for a boy gone too soon.
More Than Just Digging
“I want the experience of doing some real effort here,” Kody admitted, sweat mixing with tears.
The grave would be larger than needed for just an urn – the physical work matching his emotional burden.
A Father’s Final Gift
Kody struggled to name what he was doing. “I don’t even know if it’s honor.
It’s mourning,” he confessed while digging.
The grave would rest beside Grandma Cheryl, who had loved Garrison deeply.
Finding Meaning in Dirt
“I’ve never done anything like this,” Kody shared, his voice cracking slightly.
For a man with 18 children, this was surprisingly intimate territory – one last act of fatherhood for his departed son.
Janelle’s Perspective
Despite their 2022 separation, Janelle appreciated Kody’s gesture.
“It’s symbolic and poetic,” she told cameras, finding beauty in her ex-husband’s painful labor of love.
The Final Chapter
Garrison died by suicide in March at just 25. His father’s hands, calloused from digging, became part of the healing process – turning earth into something resembling closure.
Feeling down? Need someone to talk to? Just dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also text “STRENGTH” to 741741, or check out 988lifeline.org. Help is just a call or click away.