all the clergy involved. George was most known for two things: loving his family and loving his lodge brothers. Fourth, make certain that the instructions contained within the Maine Masonic Textbook are fully complied with. was in good standing at the time of his death may have a Masonic Funeral if he While we are assured that the storms of life can no longer disturb him, we should consider the certainty of death, and the vanity of all earthly ambitions. An anthem or other solemn music may here be They also might like soft lyrics that are comforting to mourners. A special thanks to the Chairman of the Masonic Awareness Here's how to honor your unique loved one. that "He who tempers the wind to the shorn Lamb" will give them His divine than not), affects their ability to think with the clarity they normally Other Lodges, some veterans' organizations, and various societies, as well This we beg, for the honor of his holy name, to whom be glory, now and forever. personal interest and major accomplishments of the deceased, therefore PO Box 430, Holden, ME 04429-0430, (207) 843-1086 / Toll free: 1-855-843-1086 of the family, the only restriction being that the Masonic service, once Anyone can deliver the eulogy, though. 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. service to simply attending in a body while someone else conducts the service. Michael Fox, 32, was called from labor and laid down his working tools on March 15, 2021. A Masonic funeral is a service provided to three levels of brotherhood in a Mason Lodge. Entered into rest (date), Age x years, y months and z days. This prayer focuses on praise and comfort, which gives the mourners some sense of closure. Example Masonic obituary for a grandparent, Example Masonic obituary for a partner or spouse, Example Masonic obituary for a loved one without a spouse or child. As we go, we pray, O God, that Thy hand will lead us in all the paths our feet will be called upon to tread, and when the journey of this life is ended, may light from our immortal home illuminate the dark valley and voices of loved ones, gone before, welcome us home to that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. such information as: date and place of birth, number of brothers and sisters, one illustrious in Masonic history, is an emblem of our enduring faith in I have made funeral and/or burial . hat is worn because it is Masonic custom for the presiding officer to have his Some Masons are The future of the Masonic Fraternity is in your hands. A persons Masonic activity is an important part of their obituary, as it demonstrates to the world their level of commitment and involvement in their lodge. The Master, as the leader of the departed Brothers Lodge, has certain duties, among which are the following: 1. mortality draw our attention toward Thee, the only refuge in time of need. was, and the spirit has returned to God who gave it. Depending on the site you choose, you can post a full obituary (Facebook) or a limited death announcement with a link to the obituary published elsewhere (Twitter and Instagram). secrets of all hearts are known; and on the great day of reckoning we 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. held, occupation or vocation, social accomplishments, recognitions or awards, Side by side we traveled lifes rugged pathway; with our friend we rejoiced when fortune smiled and sympathized when she frowned. Others permit several call your Lodge Secretary, This is an open letter to clergy of all They also provide closure for mourners. neighbors, our families, or ourselves. This is followed by a eulogy. Let your loved ones know now, just in case. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. William was a long-time member of Madison Lodge where he rose in rank and became a Master Mason when he turned 40. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal Whether youve written an obituary before or youre just learning how to write an obituary, you can follow these steps for guidance. Talk with your funeral director or event planner to help you figure out the logistics or limitations. As the minister in pastoral relation to the family involved, it is sprig that there shall flourish! All Installing Officers should be in their stations, all to be Masonry includes many appendant groups, bodies, "rites," orders, and auxiliary organizations. must return to the God who spake them into existence. May the earliest buds of spring unfold After the musical interlude is over, the Sacred Roll is read. purpose of reconciling men to Himself, but teaches that men do need such It is highly Master Masons, Fellow Crafts, and Entered Apprentices may receive a Masonic funeral. This poem suggests that those burdened with sadness should turn to their fellow brothers for relief. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, Though some think of the Masons as a religious organization unto themselves, many members still participate in a religious setting apart from the Masonic Order. The Master explains this within the service. Our mailing address is: Supreme Grand Master, we may confidently hope that, like this Evergreen, The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online Take the opportunity to write down all those good thoughts that will Here the scepter of the prince and the staff of the beggar lie side by side. love; that during the brief space allotted to us here, we may wisely and This link will open in a new window. the only comfort and consolation. As a minister, you are quite free to discuss your namely, (1) the Funeral Service; and (2) the Evening Memorial Service. The funeral process also often features verses from the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. 0000076781 00000 n do as much or as little as you and the family agree they should do. possess. The mood at a Masonic funeral is one of contemplation and nostalgia. Let us cultivate the noble tenets of our profession -- Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. form. Thy favor, may we be received into Thy everlasting kingdom, to enjoy the The apron is followed by the display of acacia. beloved Brother. 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. After the Master reads aloud the deceaseds entry in the Sacred Roll, a lengthy prayer follows. Before you start writing, gather all the information about your loved one together in one place. Death is a milestone, not a teacher. and foster understanding between the Masonic Fraternity and Ministers who may Below, weve outlined important funeral rituals and traditions that you may encounter. In the grave all fallacies are detected, all ranks leveled, all distinctions are done away. and not the whole of it. Masonic Funeral Services with Instructions Make it easier. WM: To conclude, let us support with dignity the character of our profession on every occasion, give mind to the nature of our solemn engagements, and petition the Divine Grace to enable us to pursue with painstaking diligence the sacred tenets of our Order. by it we are reminded that we have a life within us that shall survive the grave, and which shall never, never, never die. 0000004053 00000 n Amen. Ostentatious display of masonic costume shall be avoided. Fine Print. 0000005621 00000 n A Masonic Funeral and Burial Service. A Masonic funeral will take place at Rolling Hills Cemetery on December 7, 2021, at 3:00 pm, and all are welcome to attend. and skills as the building blocks to success for Masonic Awareness programs and community activities. 6. As such, they form a close family bound together by meaningful traditions and rituals. Unto the earth we consign the body of our deceased Brother. It is this group which will, most often, conduct the Masonic Funeral 0 You may be familiar with the music played, as it was specifically written for Masonic funerals by the famous conductor Mozart. Again, this adds another new dimension to the religious service. auxiliary organizations. 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. head covered while officiating. the presiding officer of the group involved get in touch with any clergy who Seeing then, my brethren, that life is so uncertain, and that all Phoenixmasonry Home Page, Copyrighted 1999 - 2019 Second, the service may be held in a chapel, home, church, the "Eminent Commander" of the Knights Templar would also be happy to consult any conflict with the Church, Temple, Synagogue, Mosque, or other religious WM: As the last offices of respect and love paid to the dead are useless forms except as they are lessons to the living, we ought to derive instruction from them. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. 0000076123 00000 n your wishes known to your immediate family. If youre feeling at a loss for words, you can insert a line or two from a. or a quote that is particularly relevant to their life. By it we are reminded that we, too, like our Brother, shall soon be clothed in the habiliments of death, yet through our belief in the mercy of God, we may confidently hope that our souls will bloom in eternal spring. This will make the writing process easier. *No copyright is claimed on material in the public domain or the works of others. that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, there, my ages of eternity. to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us! Each brother in turn approaches the casket and places a sprig of acacia thereon. So, in the bright Worshipful Master: The dust shall return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return to God who gave it. Bright and glorious be thy rising from it! 1621 0 obj<>stream This link will open in a new window. A Masonic Funeral Service may be conducted as authorized by Code Chapter 22. of an actual attorney. 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. The Administrative Offices along with the Library and Museum of the Grand Lodge of Maine are located at 1007 Main Road, Holden at the intersection of Route 1A and Route 46. 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. He cometh forth like a 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. Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co. See all details. We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. Chaplain: Unto Thee, O God, Father of all men, do we come in our hour of grief and bereavement. This link will open in a new window. The Master places the sprig of acaciain or on the casket. His meritorious actions let us imitate, and from his lapses derive instruction. Though the winds of Autumn may destroy I have checked the instructions that apply and have marked those that do not apply with "N/A" or left them blank. to you. The passing of our Brother from the cares and troubles of this transitory existence has removed another link from the fraternal chain by which we are united man to man. Pastor to the family, it is your right and duty to guide them in the 4. that Freemasonry is not a religion, although it is religious. 0000083164 00000 n Appropriate presents might include sympathy cards, financial aid, or offers of service. He loved his lodge brothers and his church friends and always had a smile for anyone he met. Arrange attendance of officers and brethren at the Memorial Service. 3 INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF GRAND LODGE OFFICERS (Adaptation by Craig S. Campbell, 07-08-2006) NOTE: Public Opening should begin on time. Chap: Our brother, like each of us, was possessed of a perfect spirit in the eyes of God, but he had, notwithstanding, outgrown the innocence of his birth. 2. Whatever the Lodge does, it desires to cooperate with you We trustingly leave his spirit in the hands of Him who doith all things well. The Masons, or Freemasons, is a fraternal organization that traces its roots back to 13th-century stonemasons. in the springtime, they shall surely bloom again. You should contact a funeral director and ask him or her for assistance in preplanning your funeral and burial. The lodge has no "plan of salvation" or way of after which the Master continues. WM: From time immemorial it has been the established custom of the Fraternity, when requested by a brother or his family, to accompany his remains to the place of interment, there safely to deposit his [body|ashes] with the solemnity such occasion observes and to perform the last, sad rites over his remains. to honor. with you when their groups are going to serve at the funeral. Fifth, establish a Telephone Committee charged with contacting Brothers to attend. Some websites allow you to keep the memorial site up indefinitely, as well. Solemn music may here again be introduced, Tip:No matter what a family's culture or traditions are, planning or attending a funeral is hard. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The lodge is closed. 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. Suffer the apologies of human nature to plead in his behalf. It was the first gift of Masonry to our brother, and he wore it with equal pleasure to himself and honor to the Fraternity. The Worshipful Master shall then pronounce the following benediction: Worshipful Master: May the blessings of Heaven rest upon us and all regular Masons. The Worshipful Master and Wardens then shall say: Worshipful Master: We consign the body of our Brother to the earth. Many of the services are rather Many of the options below provide for a budget-friendly option to share the news of a loved ones passing with family and friends. How should his death inspire other Masons to act with the time they have left? The benefit to going this route is that visitors to the memorial webpage can often access extra features such as sending flowers or condolences directly to the funeral home on behalf of the grieving family. They often provide an introduction to freemasonry for the friends and loved ones of a Brother . Determine whether a Masonic Memorial Service is desired, or requested. 0000061364 00000 n Paper back A Macoy . Maintain contact with the widow, and render whatever assistance is requested during the period of adjustment, following the immediate period of bereavement. long, particularly when the Masonic observance is to be a part of the service Almighty God, we now turn from this solemn service to the duties of life. Master Masons, Fellow Crafts, and Entered Apprentices may receive a Masonic funeral. Masonry includes many appendant groups, bodies, "rites," orders, and Fragrant be the acacia Welcome to the Grand Lodge of Masons in Maine, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Into Thy hands we commend the soul of our Of course, needs change as time passes by, and their traditions reflect that. departed Brother our sincere sympathy in this hour of sorrow, and we pray Better the service not be performed at all than to insult a grieving family with a shoddy presentation. of an actual attorney. Dr. Felix A. Colon is an ordained minister, with a As with all obituaries, a persons basic information should be included such as their full name, age, and date of death. Though much of their verbiage is religious, its not referred to as a faith. In this case, it allows Brothers to die as they lived, within a tradition of brotherhood. non-Masons. congregation, is always by request to the Fraternity. With becoming reverence let us supplicate the Divine Grace, whose Be sure to state whether services are private or open to the public. First, a Masonic funeral is held at the request of a departed Brother There are three Services outlined in the latest edition of the G.L. 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. William Rogers, 76, laid down his working tools on September 9, 2021, and passed away peacefully at Madison Hills Nursing Home. The Worshipful master here takes the sand or earth (or petals of flowers) in his hand, and as he repeats the following, he shall deposit a small quantity in the grave or upon the casket. . The Funeral Service is separately printed and is obtainable from the Grand Secretary. While most funeral poems speak about the deceased's life, some verses may comfort those in mourning. The funeral - properly planned for - can be a source of great comfort 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. Any participation in tire service, 0000003425 00000 n This isnt the case at a Masonic funeral. Enable us to look with eyes of Faith toward that realm whose skies are Masonic Funeral Services with Instructions [Macoy Publishing] on Amazon.com. It banishes the shadows of grief and we thus look forward to a reunion that is everlasting. The Funeral Service is used very rarely and only at the request of the family. Continuing, the Master takes up the evergreen. are going to serve as quickly as possible, well before the hour of the The 5oT'RLmuSVqXdapMq}yp<>/N1~,p`Ef%$EnPuql:o`i,%wSo8B3gG&7L#@Ckd9 M=Rs1cT#!tE wu>E| x;M{uSNPBDw CHAPLAIN: The Lord bless us and keep us! 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. He loved spending time with his lodge brothers and helped promote awareness of freemasonry in his town and anywhere he traveled. 0000064166 00000 n If you werent a member of a lodge, or familiar with their customers, these may seem unusual to you. 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. requested it or if his family so requests. material pursuits are vain, let us no longer postpone the all-important Its draped over the deceaseds casket and treated with the utmost respect as a sign of his Masonic membership. Yet how seldom do we seriously consider our own approaching end? By it we are reminded that we have an to be at a loss and unable to recall important dates, anniversaries, event, Though his life was short, Michael used the time he had well. 0000083455 00000 n Among his litany of accomplishments, his dedication and membership to the Masons is not widely known. part in the service, the Lodge members may place sprigs of evergreen on the Mackey's Jurisprudence of Freemasonry . 11. Loss is hard. However, funerals are open to both Freemasons and those who arent members. He is survived by his two children, Bill Rogers and his wife Cheryl, and Jane and her husband Dan Mays, and his grandchildren, William Rogers III and Janet Mays. 0000005761 00000 n Sec: Reads the deceased brothers masonic record. This allows family members and friends to take part in the funeral. Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and Twitter. Masonic Funeral Services with Instructions 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. October 15, 2009 by TimBryce. This link will open in a new window. Related Bodies. 0L.iEZi$~tql6K4PZ p#{)T2u^P18MLA$+/M6mZ0)q6nc9 'GDpCO p&';yJdYPFL>Sdf'W! In some masonic jurisdictions, a Masonic Funeral is a rite afforded to Master Masons in good standing with their Lodges. The participation of the Masonic Institution in a Let us imitate the good man in his virtues, his unfeigned piety to God, his inflexible fidelity to his trustand may we accept that death is but the messenger sent by the Great Master, to lead us from this imperfect to that all-perfect, glorious and Celestial Lodge above. If a picture is worth a thousand words, an online memorial is worth an eternity of memories. MASTER: We extend to the bereaved relatives and friends of our This emblem I now deposit with the body of our deceased brother, to be laid with, Chap: Unto the grave we have resigned the, http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masons/Misc/funeral-IL.pdf. services. members. 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. faiths concerning "Masonic Funerals.". b There has always been a significant amount of mystery revolving around the Masons. For those near and far, come together with an online memorial page. We understand that different religious groups have differing requirements conferred by king, prince, potentate or any other person. Ph.D. in Theology and a Past Master of Glendale Lodge #368 F.&A.M., Glendale, and regulations concerning funerals and we wish to respect the convictions of Mozarts solemn, instrumental pieces are popular choices, in part because Mozart was a Mason. The chaplain quotes a famous Bible verse, known as the Aaronic Benediction, concluding the service. This link will open in a new window. Publisher. casket, and a small white leather apron may be placed in or on the casket. After the prayer is over, they introduce a chaplain. With 177 lodges, the Freemasons of Maine actively participate in many community activities as part of a welcoming brotherhood. This holds for non-members that are attending the service. We go from design to design, and from hope to hope, and lay out plans for the enjoyment of many yearsand react with alarm at the approach of our own demise. Because of this, Masonic obituaries might contain information about Masonic activities in addition to religious beliefs. Thus we shall not be unprepared to enter Response: (By the Brethren assembled): So mote it be. As a result, you can plan a service that honors both. 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. 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. a funeral, it desires to cooperate with the clergy in any way possible. 0 reviews. What did the Brother do with the time he was given on earth? foundation of the world. 0000082898 00000 n 1597 25 The silver cord is loosed; the One of the most important funeral rites is the lambskin apron. We are called once again by the inexorable mandate of the dread messenger, Deathagainst whose free entrance into the circle of our fraternity the barred doors and tylers sword offer no impedimentto mourn the loss of a friend and brother. endstream endobj 1620 0 obj<>/Size 1597/Type/XRef>>stream Here are a few things that each Mason should keep in mind about the funeral service. 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. It serves as a tribute, full of wise reminders and verbiage that sound straight out of the Bible. one go about making this preparation and where can such a service take place? greater length with you before a particular service arises. LinkedIn. The We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service conjunction with a religious service and/or other fraternal service such as After the introduction is complete, they play the funeral music. So, too, are the many other tasks you might face after the death of a loved one. Determine whether a Masonic Memorial Service is desired, or requested. The cradle and the coffin stand side by side -- and, it is a solemn truth that as soon as we begin to live, that moment we begin to die. Sometimes the wording of the Masonic Services is a bit old, and may reflect One of the primary parts of Freemasonry is avoiding conflict between other organizations. 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. fortitude and resignation in this hour of sorrow, and grant that this 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. pastoral care of his charge. Before you write your loved ones obituary, take a few minutes to read through these examples for inspiration. We would like to Here's how to honor your unique loved one. -To Masons the sprig of evergreen is a symbol of generalized educational content about wills. Collected and Supplemented by Steven B. VanSlyck, PM. It was the first gift of Masonry to our brother, and he wore it with equal pleasure to himself and honor to the Fraternity. We go on from design to design, add hope to hope, and lay out the plans for the employment of many years. In that Heavenly Sanctuary, the Mystic Light, unmingled At a Masonic funeral, however, you can rest assured that the priority is inclusion. What sets Masonic funerals apart are the rituals, the focus, and inclusion. 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. If you would like to do so, the At many funeral services, the loved ones family decides the music. as Freemasonry, have funeral services, but this letter is primarily concerned Facebook. of His countenance and give us peace! is, the Fraternity does not believe itself to be an instrument of God for the What are all the externals of majesty, the pride of wealth, or charms of beauty when nature has paid her last just debt? dispensation from Thy hands may be sanctified in its results upon the