Kody Brown’s Emotional Plea to Reopen Son Garrison’s Grave Explained
Meticulous reporting and analytical depth—here’s what we know so far. In a poignant turn for the Brown family, Sister Wives patriarch Kody Brown formally requested permission from his local cemetery sexton to reopen and deepen the grave of his late son, Garrison. According to People Magazine (March 7, 2024) and corroborated by Entertainment Tonight, Brown described the process as “deeply emotional,” noting that every step touched on both regulatory requirements and personal grief.
Brown’s son, Garrison “Garry” Brown, passed away in February 2020 at age nine from a congenital heart defect. The family initially buried him at Pine Forest Cemetery near Flagstaff, Arizona, in an unmarked plot adjacent to his half-siblings. As the Browns prepared to secure a permanent headstone and expand the family burial area, cemetery officials informed Kody that state regulations mandate a formal application to alter any established gravesite. This directive prompted Brown to meet with Sexton Ray Thompson on February 22, 2024, to petition for an official permit to exhume and re-dig the plot.
In his conversation with Thompson, Brown provided medical records, death certificates and a notarized family consent form—standard documentation in Coconino County, AZ. Thompson’s role extends beyond manual excavation: he ensures compliance with health codes, oversees soil testing and schedules the backhoe work with licensed undertakers. “I had to explain my son’s story to the sexton, share what his life meant to us,” Brown told People. Entertainment Tonight footage shows Brown visibly moved while signing the permit application, pausing to wipe tears as he recounted Garrison’s favorite color and dream of becoming a radio DJ.
Experts in cemetery law highlight that such requests are not uncommon when families consolidate plots or upgrade headstones. According to national funeral director Jessica Fields (via E! News), “Re-digging a grave—even inches deeper—triggers a new permitting cycle. It’s administrative, but for grieving parents, every spade of earth represents a fresh wave of sorrow.” Brown’s experience underscores the intersection of bureaucratic process and emotional catharsis; by putting paperwork in motion, he’s both honoring Garrison’s memory and navigating state statutes.
Beyond logistics, this move echoes a larger narrative for the Brown household. Since the Sister Wives split in 2021, Kody has sought to maintain unity through shared milestones—yet the family’s polygamist dynamic adds layers to every decision. Securing a central burial site becomes a symbol: a tangible place where the fractured branches of the clan still converge. As Brown awaits final approval from the county board, he continues private memorials with his ex-wives Meri, Janelle and Christine, and his current wife, Robyn.
With the permit application under review, the Browns anticipate a late spring reopening ceremony. Stay informed, stay grounded, and keep an eye on this emotional story as it unfolds.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, E! News
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
