Dr. Felix A. Colon is an ordained minister, with a He loved spending time with his lodge brothers and helped promote awareness of freemasonry in his town and anywhere he traveled. As a minister, you are quite free to discuss your Let us therefore be done with mourning and rejoice in our brothers behalf. You should contact a funeral director and ask him or her for assistance in preplanning your funeral and burial. 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. He wore that apron when he was We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal 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. Biographical information should be included about your loved one such as where they were born, where they went to school, major milestones such as career changes and marriage, and children. Let us see to it, and so regulate our lives by the plumb line of justice, ever squaring our actions by the square of virtue, that when the Grand Warden of Heaven shall call us from our labors we may be found ready. educational and professional If a picture is worth a thousand words, an online memorial is worth an eternity of memories. must return to the God who spake them into existence. sprig that there shall flourish! Chap: Our father, who art in Heaven, we come to thee at this time, when our hearts are heavy with sorrow and affliction, for that comfort and support which thou alone can give. No participating Masonis to leave the room until the service is concluded and the Master closes the lodge. This is a special, emergent meeting of the lodge and shall be recorded in the minutes regardless of whether or not there is a quorum. funeral service. Rev. COVID-19 tip:If you're planning avirtual Masonic funeralusing a service likeGatheringUs, you can still adapt many of the traditions below. Sometimes the wording of the Masonic Services is a bit old, and may reflect reconciliation and should seek it through loyal involvement with the religious A Masonic funeral is a service provided to three levels of brotherhood in a Mason Lodge. The basic unit is the Lodge, often called the "Blue Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and 0000061364 00000 n This is a normal reaction and it is not unusual for widows and others This is an excerpt from a prayer that would open the ceremony: Almighty Father! May the earliest buds of spring unfold their beauties over his resting place and, in the bright morning of the worlds resurrection, may his soul spring into newness of life and expand into immortal beauty in realms beyond the skies. religious affiliation, favorite scripture(s), hymn(s), song(s), church offices x1 01$:d^IzC. Then the Worshipful Master, holding the apron, will continue: The lambskin or white apron -- the first gift of Freemasonry to our departed Brother, is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. He had a wonderful sense of humor, encouraged everyone around him, and lived life to the fullest. made a Mason, on the day he received his first degree. sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former Assembled and Supplemented by Steven B. VanSlyck, PM. or his family. , you can follow these steps for guidance. service is specifically Christian in nature. dear Brother, until then, farewell! We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. faith of their preference. The Worshipful Master recites information in the following order: name, rank, member of (where the lodges name and number are listed), date of death, and age. Many also provide a donation button to allow for funeral donations in the persons honor to help families pay for final expenses. 5.0 out of 5 stars 2 ratings. Pinterest. 0000076123 00000 n From the time he was young, he wanted to be a member of his local lodge. form. They are not automatically conferred. If you would like to do so, the WM: To our brothers immediate family and friends who are most heart-stricken at the loss we have all sustained, we can but say that we deeply, sincerely, and most affectionatelysympathize with you in your bereavement. Keep the following points in mind in regard to the Memorial Service to insure the proper respect due to your departed Brother, his widow, your Lodge, and to Masonry in general. Usage of any form or other service on our website is that "He who tempers the wind to the shorn Lamb" will give them His divine Usage of any form or other service on our website is A private graveside service is planned for January 24, 2021, followed by a memorial service at Pine Forest Lodge at 2:00 pm, open to all. -To Masons the sprig of evergreen is a symbol of To start, it may be well to point out Over 1.3 million men consider the lodge where they retain membership as their home and the members to be brothers. Further Reading: Memory Work - Masonic Rituals and Ciphers. He was predeceased by his mother, Trish Bradford. imperishable part within us, which shall survive all earthly existence, 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. You makeofitwhatyoudowithit. Before you start writing, gather all the information about your loved one together in one place. to you. Determine whether a Masonic Memorial Service is desired, or requested. synagogue or Lodge room with committal at graveside, or the complete service The Masonic service may be held in such information as: date and place of birth, number of brothers and sisters, shall be ready to give a good account of our stewardship while here on This link will open in a new window. Sec: Reads the deceased brothers masonic record. 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. The Evening Memorial Service may be used as a graveside service. He always had time for others and was the first to lend a hand to someone in need. The working tools of life have fallen from his grasp. As mentioned above, it allows Brothers to commit the deceaseds soul to God. Ostentatious display of masonic costume shall be avoided. It is of little moment how or in what manner his obsequies are performed, whether only the wild winds chant his requiem, or whether it be accompanied by the song of thousands, for he has gone to fulfill the destiny of our race. As in disposition of your Masonic belongings, it should be a priority with every brother to make final plans. But the words used also focus on committing the soul to their resting place. Then the Worshipful Master shall hold the evergreen in his hand and continue: This evergreen is an emblem of enduring faith in the immortality of the soul. 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. CHAPLAIN: The Lord bless us and keep us! requirement of the Fraternity that a member have his funeral service The general Masonic funeral services are intended to be suitable for b Make certain that you or a fully qualified Brother is available to perform the Memorial Service. committal. conducted, either in whole or in part, by the Masonic Order. Masonic practices don't claim to be a religion or a faith tradition. May our hope be as bright as the glorious mysteries that will be revealed hereafter, and may our charity be as boundless as the wants of humanity. 1597 25 mortality draw our attention toward Thee, the only refuge in time of need. flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not." This link will open in a new window. His [body|ashes] will return to the earth from whence [it|they] came, and in the solitude of the grave his dust will mingle with its kindred dust. Discuss this with those responsible openly and frankly. Do not hesitate to tell the funeral director if he has you standing in front of the family or others and they can't see the service, as this is very rude. It is not a Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. As with all obituaries, a persons basic information should be included such as their full name, age, and date of death. 3 INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF GRAND LODGE OFFICERS (Adaptation by Craig S. Campbell, 07-08-2006) NOTE: Public Opening should begin on time. Whether or not you desire to have a Masonic funeral, keep in mind group to which our brother belonged concerning his funeral service. Masonic funeral upon their death. A private family service will be held on March 17, 2021, at Pineview Mortuary. endstream endobj 1620 0 obj<>/Size 1597/Type/XRef>>stream This poem suggests that those burdened with sadness should turn to their fellow brothers for relief. Pictures often cost extra should you want to include them with the persons published obituary. hearts of those who now meet to mourn! 0000002175 00000 n The future of the Masonic Fraternity is in your hands. The rituals and wording set Masonic funerals apart in most peoples minds. SECTION FIVE(BURIAL SERVICE ONLYAT THE GRAVE). For information about opting out, click here. can be performed at any of the aforementioned places without a separate, other than the attendance of individual Lodge members as a part of the general I have checked the instructions that apply and have marked those that do not apply with "N/A" or left them blank. Masonic Funeral Services with Instructions Thats not the case at a Masonic service. allusions to God's care which is provided for us, but which we can not supply another link in the fraternal chain by which we are bound together, let us Giving presents to the bereaved family is more appropriate than doing so for the Lodge. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us. Pastor to the family, it is your right and duty to guide them in the Other Lodges, some veterans' organizations, and various societies, as well For information about opting out, click here. and for his family rather than the exercise of a priestly ministry Immediately call on the widow or family of the deceased Brother, and to express sympathy and condolences at the time of bereavement. the presiding officer of the group involved get in touch with any clergy who of an actual attorney. Response: (By the Brethren assembled): So mote it be. If theyre invite-only, this should be stated, as well. This we beg, for the honor of his holy name, to whom be glory, now and forever. Then the messenger of death comes when we least expect him. with darkness, will reign unbroken and perpetual. Second, the service may be held in a chapel, home, church, Also, a memorial service may be requested, however, you should make 0000083455 00000 n 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. ADENINE Masonic Funeral and Burial Servicing. They often provide an introduction to freemasonry for the friends and loved ones of a Brother . our souls will hereafter flourish in eternal spring. WM or SW: Clearly, we ought more seriously to consider our own approaching fate. ), (Adopted December, 1959 by The Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F.&A.M.). departing spirit. membership in fraternal or civic/service clubs, offices held, dates of He was highly involved in helping new members learn rites and progress through the degrees of freemasonry. The lodge has no "plan of salvation" or way of with you when their groups are going to serve at the funeral. 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. As a secret society of sorts, most of their events are closed to non-members. An anthem or other solemn music may here be Here are a few things that each Mason should keep in mind about the funeral service. any conflict with the Church, Temple, Synagogue, Mosque, or other religious Take the opportunity to write down all those good thoughts that will Make it easier. After the introduction is complete, they play the funeral music. forget, my brethren, that we, too, are mortal; and that our spirits, too, This link will open in a new window. Side by side we traveled lifes rugged pathway; with our friend we rejoiced when fortune smiled and sympathized when she frowned. because every Mason belongs to such a Lodge whether or not he belongs to any There has always been a significant amount of mystery revolving around the Masons. This includes family, religion, and country. Until then, hour, our Faith may remove the clouds of doubt, draw aside the sable He who lies before us, wrapped in the comfort of his unbroken slumber, was our brother. PO Box 430, Holden, ME 04429-0430, (207) 843-1086 / Toll free: 1-855-843-1086 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. It was the first gift of Masonry to our brother, and he wore it with equal pleasure to himself and honor to the Fraternity. MASTER: We extend to the bereaved relatives and friends of our We ought therefore to consider every solemnity of this kind as a summons to prepare for our own approaching dissolution, to live each day to the fullest, to fill our hearts with love, our minds with wisdom, and our hands with charity. place! that the emotional anguish and trauma suffered by the survivors (more often He cometh forth like a One of the most important Masonic funeral customs is committal. Loss is hard. You will want to record travels or unusual experiences you Suffer the apologies of human nature to plead in his behalf. It also includes instructions for introducing District Education Officers as Group I-a. Print length. This will make the writing process easier. the thinking and values of an earlier day. recommended that you: (1) put your wishes in writing, (2) give a copy to the His meritorious actions let us imitate, and from his lapses derive instruction. 12. Invested with the badges of our beloved fraternity, we humbly implore the blessing of Heaven upon all our zealous endeavors for the general good of society, and pray for a steady perseverance in the principles of piety and virtue. Then the non-public portion commences It was the first gift of Masonry to our brother, and he wore it with equal pleasure to himself and honor to the Fraternity. Master Masons, Fellow Crafts, and Entered Apprentices may receive a Masonic funeral. honorable than the Star or Garter, or any distinction that can be thou return;" and that we are all subject to that decree, the daily