protection of the All-Seeing Eye, amid the smiles of Immutable Love, in with you when their groups are going to serve at the funeral. The Master and each brother in turn approaches the casket and places a sprig of acacia therein or thereon, or some other nearby and suitable place. Your family has 500 hours of work to do after you die. Clearly, Masonic funeral rites (which are led by the "Worshipful Master" of an individual lodge) are religious services. The funeral process also often features verses from the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. can be performed at any of the aforementioned places without a separate, There are three Services outlined in the latest edition of the G.L. continually reminded of that purity of life and conduct so essentially Many a member has expressed interest in having his Lodge perform a 0000083483 00000 n Any member who As an evergreen, its meant to symbolize eternal faith that will never fade away. to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us! Are you Considering a Masonic Funeral?, The Phoenixmasonry Masonic Museum and Library, www.phoenixmasonry.org/how_to_conduct_a_masonic_funeral.htm, web.mit.edu/dryfoo/www/Masonry/Misc/funeral-IL.pdf, The Grand Lodge of Florida, Masonic Etiquette. Masonic Education Committee, 2010, owd145.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GL-208-Masonic-Etiquette-Booklet.pdf. conjunction with a religious service and/or other fraternal service such as Dawn has come and the sun is rising. So, in the bright departing spirit. WM: Soft and safe be the earthly bed of our brother; bright and glorious be his rising from it. By clicking "Accept", you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy. Our Brother has reached the end of his earthly toils. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. The apron is followed by the display of acacia. That way, you know exactly what to expect. women as well as men, sometimes officiates at the funerals of its women service. generalized educational content about wills. Ronald L. Runion, PDDGM . Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal He met his fiance, Clara Lake, two days before graduation and moved to Madison Hills, Texas, to court her as soon as college concluded. . your wishes known to your immediate family. This link will open in a new window. While some funeral homes offer this service for free, others charge a fee as an add-on service. 0000001814 00000 n From time immemorial, it has been the custom among the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, at the request of a Brother or of his family, to perform the last rites with the usual ceremonies of the Craft. WM: As the beautiful butterfly bursts forth from its cocoon to soar aloft in the sunshine, so our brothers spirit has shuffled off its mortal coil. Phoenixmasonry Home Page, Copyrighted 1999 - 2019 It is common, given the inclusion of passages from the Bible, that The Worshipful Master would use biblical metaphors in the service as well. Fourth, make certain that the instructions contained within the Maine Masonic Textbook are fully complied with. SECTION FIVE(BURIAL SERVICE ONLYAT THE GRAVE). Accept. call your Lodge Secretary, This is an open letter to clergy of all They provide an opportunity for the fraternity to reflect on the memory of a Brother at his passing and to show his family a bit about the organization he was a member of. As such, it offers you a glimpse of another integral part of their life that is not as easily accessible otherwise. (Adopted December, 1959 by The Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F.&A.M. William was born to Bert and Betty Rogers in Plainview, Texas, where he grew up. 0000083164 00000 n Third and FifthThursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. HilliardMasonic Hall - Map3980 Main Street, Hilliard Ohio, Copyright 2023, Arts & Sciences Lodge No. The service shall be given by a brother or brothers who can and will do an exemplary job. Most online memorial sites offer a full suite of features including an unlimited word count for the obituary text, a featured picture or rotating picture frame, a photo and video album, and a digital guestbook where friends and family can comment and upload their own pictures and videos of your loved one. pallbearers. The Lord lift upon us the light With the lack of available information, it makes sense that Masonic funerals may have different procedures than traditional ones. It's specified in our Grand Lodge documents here. WM: This evergreen, which once marked the temporary resting place of the most distinguished and beloved of men, is an emblem of mans faith in the immortality of the soul. We pay our tribute of love and esteem to our departed friend and Brother, who was a beloved member of __________ Lodge, Number _____, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The chaplain quotes a famous Bible verse, known as the Aaronic Benediction, concluding the service. In conformity to this usage, we are assembled in the character of Masons to offer to the memory of our Brother, this tribute of our affection. It is recommended that each Master Mason have at a minimum for his personal use the following books (please notice the word minimum): Masonic Ritual. As we commit the body of our Brother to its resting place, may we realize how weak is every human arm, and may we trust in Thy might alone. If youre feeling at a loss for words, you can insert a line or two from a Masonic funeral poem or a quote that is particularly relevant to their life. Masonic Ritual (Your State or G. L.) Monitor and Freemason's Guide to the Symbolic Degrees. It is not a Dr. Felix A. Colon is an ordained minister, with a There, under the with those of the Masonic Institution. A short eulogy is appropriate, when well done, as part of the Masonic Memorial Service. This is your right as a Mason. Having mastered his craft, his work here is done, his Temple is complete, and he has gone to receive his wages from the Master Builder. Masonic involvement in a funeral, may range from conducting the entire One of the most important Masonic funeral customs is committal. is, the Fraternity does not believe itself to be an instrument of God for the Through the loving goodness of our The Funeral Service is separately printed and is obtainable from the Grand Secretary. think proper and helpful in a specific situation. and which will never, never die. senses, and the recollection of a virtuous and well-spent life will yield This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can offer condolences after the services are complete. that "He who tempers the wind to the shorn Lamb" will give them His divine composed of individuals who profess different religions. I have had Masonic services after the religious service in the funeral home as well as in the church. On occasion one of these other bodies will hold a First, a Masonic funeral is held at the request of a departed Brother One of the Masters most important responsibilities occurs at the death of a member of his Lodge. They come from years of developing Masonic tradition. Seventh, if a eulogy is requested by the family to be a part of the Memorial Service, or it be deemed appropriate, be certain that the Brother to give the Eulogy is well informed and prepared to render it. Tip:No matter what a family's culture or traditions are, planning or attending a funeral is hard. to the' clergy, we hope it will be helpful to others who may have questions As a minister, you are quite free to discuss your We pray, our father, that thou wilt fill our hearts so full of thy great love that we may be reconciled to this parting from our friend and brother, and be able and willing, because he is with thee, to say, It is well. Amen. trailer Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, Loss is hard. Sam Cantey Revised Masonic Burial Service (Adopted December, 1959 by The Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F.&A.M.) Upon reaching the place of interment, the Master and two Wardens shall take their stations at the head of the grave, the Senior Warden on the master's right, the Junior Warden on the Master's left. xref At the end of the obituary, include information on funeral or memorial services. Online memorial sites are growing in popularity as a budget-friendly alternative to the traditional obituary published in a newspaper. To begin this section, briefly mention the names of members of the family who are still living and those who predeceased your loved one. 50 Year Presentation 8. that Freemasonry is not a religion, although it is religious. uncertain about what the Lodge intends to do, it is quite in order for him to They were married a year later and the couple had two children, Bill and Jane Rogers. SECTION THREEThe Master may here make a suitable oration about the deceased,and then call upon the family or others.The call may be general or specific, as the family desires.If the family has appointed a Speaker for the Dead,that person will be called last and introduced thus:Let one who knew our brother well speak with his voice.. Just like a Masonic funeral, a Masons obituary contains specific Mason-oriented elements that you wont find in a non-Mason obituary. Funeral rites are prescribed by Masonic handbooks and include readings, responses, and prayers. If theyre invite-only, this should be stated, as well. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. This is imperative, not only for the comfort provided to the family, but also for the good name of Freemasonry as exemplified on such occasion to the general public. Funeral and Burial Instructions of _____ To Whom It May Concern: I have completed this document to provide instructions concerning my funeral and burial arrangements and/or requests. While most funeral poems speak about the deceased's life, some verses may comfort those in mourning. Your funeral director can assist you in developing a "pre-need plan." This plan can be purchased and paid for at any time. congregation, is always by request to the Fraternity. You will want to record travels or unusual experiences you Masonic Secretary books & Seal Press 18; Masonic Certificates & Masonic Dues Card 48; Masonic Ritual & Lodge items 51; Masonic name badges, plaques, & masonic coins 8; Masonic Banners, OES Flags, Masonic Altar items 25; Masonic Funeral & Care/Concern Cards 14; Masonic Gavels & Masonic Trowels 19; QCCC 6; Masonic name badges 10 Secondly, provide the best possible rendition of the Memorial Service. sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former The white leather apron, called a "lambskin," is the badge of a Eighth, keep in mind that there are two types of Services; beloved Brother. . This emblem I now deposit with the body of our deceased brother, to be laid with [it | his ashes] beneath the silent clods of the valley as a token of that purity of life and rectitude of conduct which he so long sought to attain and which are essentially necessary for him to gain admission into the Celestial Lodge aboveand where we have no doubt but that he will be welcomed with eager and open arms. started, must be completed without interruption for another service. Except for a few groups, the Knights Templar being one, Masonic bodies are Public funeral and memorial services should contain information on the date, time, and location of the service, along with any special instructions. Whether youve written an obituary before or youre just learning how to write an obituary, you can follow these steps for guidance. 0000064166 00000 n But throughout the ages, a faith in immortality has sent a steady light of hope, shedding its gentle radiance over Man, awakening him to broader views and clearer visions, grounding a sturdy faith, an eternal hope, a perfect confidence that makes the vicissitudes of life but stepping stones to higher things. 4. make you look good. The lifeless form in the narrow house before us is alike insensible to our sorrows and our ceremonies. 3 INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF GRAND LODGE OFFICERS (Adaptation by Craig S. Campbell, 07-08-2006) NOTE: Public Opening should begin on time. If there are certain things which the tenets of Amen! a funeral, it desires to cooperate with the clergy in any way possible. He also states that the deceased has reached the end of his toils.. The focus is on the life their deceased Brother lived. MASTER: Our Brother has been raised in that blissful Lodge Suffer the apologies of human nature to plead in his behalf. Let us who survive him be yet more strongly cemented by the ties of Brotherly love. This prayer is typical of the rest of the ceremony. Maintain contact with the widow, and render whatever assistance is requested during the period of adjustment, following the immediate period of bereavement. Pictures often cost extra should you want to include them with the persons published obituary. Pour down Thy blessing upon us, we beseech Thee, and strengthen WM: And having faithfully discharged the duties we owe to God, to our neighbor, and to ourselves, when at last we shall be summoned into the presence of the Almighty, may the trestle-board of our whole lives pass such inspection as will give unto each of us to eat of the hidden manna, and to receive the white stone with a new name writ thereon that will evidence our own place in the Paradise hereafter. Many of the services are rather feelings and offer suggestions and direction to the person who is going to Upon reaching the place of interment, the Master and two Wardens shall take their stations at the head of the grave, the Senior Warden on the master's right, the Junior Warden on the Master's left. Attending a fraternity funeral service is an unusual experience for many people. The words spoken at a Masonic funeral come from two sources. It also includes instructions for introducing District Education Officers as Group I-a. The funeral emphasizes the good works and time spent by the Brother, and is often symbolized as guidance for those attending the service. , you can follow these steps for guidance. honorable than the Star or Garter, or any distinction that can be "Man that is born of Usage of any form or other service on our website is Instagram. The dust has returned to the earth as it This link will open in a new window. The working tools of life have fallen from his grasp. They've gone to the protection of the All-Seeing Eye and the smiles of Immutable Love. After this statement, the Worshipful Master displays an apron. The 5.0 out of 5 stars 2 ratings. Michael Fox, 32, was called from labor and laid down his working tools on March 15, 2021. Further Reading: Memory Work - Masonic Rituals and Ciphers. William was born to Bert and Betty Rogers in Plainview, Texas, where he grew up. Everyone's different. ages of eternity. It was the first gift of Masonry to our brother, and he wore it with equal pleasure to himself and honor to the Fraternity. Over 1.3 million men consider the lodge where they retain membership as their home and the members to be brothers. WM or JW: Our connection to humanity we ought never to disregard. Pinterest. 8 yr. ago. LinkedIn. Facebook. conducted, either in whole or in part, by the Masonic Order. Related Bodies. Thou, who dost mark the sparrow's fall, and who dost number even the hairs on our heads, look with infinite compassion on our weakness, and in this hour of need, give strength which Thou alone can impart. Also, a memorial service may be requested, however, you should make No one is ever Obligated to have a Masonic Funeral. Sixth, be certain that a Lambskin Apron and twigs of Acacia are on hand for the Service and that white aprons, in sufficient number, are available for the Brethren attending. Brother Chaplain? Pastor to the family, it is your right and duty to guide them in the 3. things are passed away.". Various compilers and authorsMasonic Funeral Services of the Grand Lodges of Ohio, Iowa and North Dakota. and updating it as necessary to keep it current. have had, not only as a child, but special events that took place as you were Museum What Should You Include in a Masonic Obituary? statewide organization) have a prescribed service. This poem celebrates a mason's . As the minister in pastoral relation to the family involved, it is Masonic Funeral Services with Instructions [Macoy Publishing] on Amazon.com. Many also provide a donation button to allow for funeral donations in the persons honor to help families pay for final expenses. Were he here today to bear witness of his life, our brother would not shirk from the fullest honesty and candor, neether about his successes nor his failures. Here's how to honor your unique loved one. We would be most happy for you to become better acquainted with the Masonic 0000076123 00000 n The Worshipful Master and Wardens then shall say: Worshipful Master: We consign the body of our Brother to the earth. of an actual attorney. While the Masonic funeral service may be unfamiliar, there are some specific traditions related to etiquette that must be observed. committal. WM: Brethren, the hour of dusk has passed and the sun has set. Offer the assistance of the officers and brethren of the Lodge. This will make the writing process easier. golden bowl is broken; the pitcher is broken at the fountain; and the (full name), a Master Mason. In most cases it will be the "Worshipful Master" of the Blue Lodge LinkedIn. of the family, the only restriction being that the Masonic service, once This link will open in a new window. The Grand Lodge desires that all brethren taking part in the service, whether members or past or present lodge or Grand Lodge officers of any kind,wear undecorated, plain white aprons, whether furnished by themselves or the lodge. Pinterest. He is survived by his two children, Bill Rogers and his wife Cheryl, and Jane and her husband . forms. Amen. <<52E89554A7D04C4FA68E24133709562B>]>> While many online memorial sites are free to use, some charge a one-time fee to access all the features and others charge a monthly fee to use the full suite before archiving the website. 1621 0 obj<>stream *No copyright is claimed on material in the public domain or the works of others. auxiliary organizations. The Masonic service may be held in He also leaves behind his parents, Dean and Debbie Evans, and his brother, Alex Evans. We mourn the loss of our Brother whose spirit has been summoned into the presence of the Lord and Father of all men. The second is the same Service, which can be held in a Lodge Room instead of a funeral home. Maybe they would prefer a tongue-in-cheek nod to the deceaseds personality. Appropriate presents might include sympathy cards, financial aid, or offers of service. our souls will hereafter flourish in eternal spring. May we who survive him be more strongly bound in the ties of friendship and union. Masonic Funeral Services by Simons and Macoy [email protected] 1-800-637-4640; Wishlist Account; Login; Account; Home; Browse Store. Fraternity's practices in this connection. 1597 25 The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online CHAPLAIN: Most Glorious God! and regulations concerning funerals and we wish to respect the convictions of necessary to gain admission into the Celestial Lodge above where the By it we are reminded of our high and glorious destiny beyond the world of shadows, and that there dwells within our tabernacle of clay an imperishable, immortal spirit over which the grave has no dominion and death no power. Thus we shall not be unprepared to enter If desired, you can also include the cause of death, though this is always optional. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us. The Creator, in His infinite wisdom, removed our Brother from the cares and troubles of this earthly life, thus severing another link in the fraternal chain by which we are bound together. Chap: As it has pleased the great Creator to remove our worthy brother now deceased from the cares and troubles of a transitory existence to a state of eternal duration, and thereby to weaken the chain by which we ourselves are linked one to another, may this example of the uncertainty of human life remind us of our approaching fate, and may we who survive him be more strongly cemented with the ties of union and friendship, and so regulate our conduct here, by the sacred dictates of truth and wisdom, as to enjoy, in the latter period of our own lives, that serene tranquility of mind which ever flows from a clear and unsullied conscience, void of offence. Many funeral homes are starting to offer add-on services such as obituary writing and memorial webpage hosting through the funeral home site. faith of their preference. for Arts & Sciences Lodge. Though the winds of Autumn may destroy Tom Bradford, 53, laid down his working tools on December 4, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. What lessons might these be? WM: Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God, in his wise providence, to take out of the world the soul of our deceased brother, A_____ B_____ C_______, we commit his mortal remains to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. 0000003425 00000 n forms. More people than ever are taking to posting partial or whole obituaries on social media platforms to spread the word about their loved ones passing as quickly as possible. Let us therefore be done with mourning and rejoice in our brothers behalf. Some websites allow you to keep the memorial site up indefinitely, as well. The funeral - properly planned for - can be a source of great comfort that the emotional anguish and trauma suffered by the survivors (more often The work SHALL be done in a perfect or near perfect manner. If youre unsure of how to bridge the gap between both worlds and write a Masons obituary, read on for everything you need to know. (Deposits it upon the casket) We are reminded by this of the universal dominion of death. Stay safe! As such, they form a close family bound together by meaningful traditions and rituals. Take the opportunity to write down all those good thoughts that will Its also important to check the funeral homes website to see if the obituary webpages they host offer you all the features you want. endstream endobj 1620 0 obj<>/Size 1597/Type/XRef>>stream A good turnout of members is important. The Masonic funeral service is the most important act of compassion and service that a Masonic Lodge can perform for a Freemason and his family. In general, the Lodge will' The basic unit is the Lodge, often called the "Blue Lodge." It is this group which will, most often, conduct the Masonic Funeral because every Mason belongs to such a Lodge whether or not he belongs to any other bodies in Masonry. The Grand Lodge office and Wilbert M. Curtis Texas Prince Hall Library Museum is open for business. representing God. This prompts members to consider their own short lives. Making sure your dress is conservative and dark is appropriate. concern of preparing for eternity; but let us embrace the present moment, while time and opportunity are offered, to provide for that great change Make it easier. The Craftwill march into the room to conduct the service. service is specifically Christian in nature. Fifth, establish a Telephone Committee charged with contacting Brothers to attend. Rituals are an important way to commemorate someones identity. The "Worthy Matron" of the Eastern Star Chapter or to be at a loss and unable to recall important dates, anniversaries, event, Unto the earth we consign the body of our deceased Brother. Assembled and Supplemented by Steven B. VanSlyck, PM. place! just reward of a virtuous and well-spent life. More Details. A Masonic Funeral and Burial Service. Legion or Elks or may be the only service performed. 0000005006 00000 n must return to the God who spake them into existence. Writing an obituary is one final way to honor your loved ones life of service and devotion to their lodge, brothers, and beliefs. Sometimes the wording of the Masonic Services is a bit old, and may reflect Into Thy hands, we commend the soul of our beloved Brother. form. No participating Masonis to leave the room until the service is concluded and the Master closes the lodge. It is our desire that there never be conduct the Masonic portion of the ser-vice. It has symbolic At the end, include information about funeral and memorial services. We are taught that he is a messenger sent by God to summon our loved ones from the troubled cares of this world to a life of peace and rest. At many funeral services, the loved ones family decides the music. 0000058563 00000 n WM: Death is a solemn visitor, and fills our hearts with sadness. His meritorious actions let us imitate, and from his lapses derive instruction. General Instructions The Grand Lodge desires that all brethren taking part in the service, whether members or past or present lodge or Grand Lodge officers of any kind, wear undecorated, plain white aprons, whether furnished by themselves or the lodge. When Masonic participation is requested in a funeral, we would suggest that In conformity with this laudable usage, and at the special request of our deceased brother, whose memory we revere and whose loss has wounded us deeply, we are here assembled, under legal dispensation, in the form and character of Masons, to resign his [body|ashes] to the earth from whence [it|they] came, and to offer up the last tribute of our fraternal affection and regard to his memory; thereby demonstrating to the world the sincerity of our past esteem. It matters not to our brother now whether two or three gather round to conduct the funeral rite, or whether hundreds assemble with measured tread and somber draping to lay his body into its final resting place. Brother from the cares and troubles of this earthly life, thus severing OES Supplies; OES Apparel; Eastern Star Rings; OES FEZ / Eastern Star Sash . was in good standing at the time of his death may have a Masonic Funeral if he Some websites allow you to keep the memorial site up indefinitely, as well. WM: Now depart, all of you, into your several lives and futures, but with peace, harmony, and love for one another. 0000000016 00000 n About Us. Then the non-public portion commences 6. Before you write your loved ones obituary, take a few minutes to read through these examples for inspiration. William was also a member of Madison Hills Baptist Church and frequently led Bible studies on Wednesday nights. proceeds. Phoenixmasonry, Inc. Determine whether a Masonic Memorial Service is desired, or requested. 42 pages. Again, this adds another new dimension to the religious service. 0000002578 00000 n Usage of any form or other service on our website is of His countenance and give us peace! The service shall be given by a brother or brothers who can and will do an exemplary job. our solemn engagements with the ties of sincere affection! After its completed, the Worshipful Master extends condolences to those grieving. After the prayer is over, they introduce a chaplain. His Goodness; and it should always be our endeavor so to live that we too a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. Almighty Father! Early last year I lost my father, a 57 year Mason. A family member must request that the Lodge perform this service, so it is imperative that you make it known to your loved ones that you would like to have it done when the time arrives. Many funeral services focus on those left behind and their emotions. Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. We know that he has been sent to legions and, in fact, all who have gone before, and that he will soon call upon us to stand in the great light of Truth. faiths concerning "Masonic Funerals.". family and the presiding officer that it will be necessary for you to perform 0000083455 00000 n This prayer focuses on praise and comfort, which gives the mourners some sense of closure. We understand that different religious groups have differing requirements We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service PO Box 430, Holden, ME 04429-0430, (207) 843-1086 / Toll free: 1-855-843-1086 Staff. -To Masons the sprig of evergreen is a symbol of All Installing Officers should be in their stations, all to be and expand in immortal beauty, in realms beyond the skies. Though his life was short, Michael used the time he had well. services. A Masonic funeral is a service provided to three levels of brotherhood in a Mason Lodge. has winged its flight to the unknown world. For more information on a Masonic Funeral, Below, weve outlined important funeral rituals and traditions that you may encounter. The Masonic brotherhood gives the opportunities for their members to not only develop positive feelings for their fellow mason but also reflect on the bond of brotherhood.