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Masonic Funerals

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Masonic Funerals

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    1. Masonic Funerals Paying the Craft their Wages Slide #1 One of the most important duties of a Lodge is to honor our departed brethren in the most dignified way possible. Slide #1 One of the most important duties of a Lodge is to honor our departed brethren in the most dignified way possible.

    2. Planning for the future Individual Funeral Planning Lodge Funeral Planning Slide #2 Planning for these solemn events is essential and a duty of the Master of the lodge. It should be taken seriously. The Master should encourage all the brothers to relate to their families their own Masonic funerals wishes. Things to be discussed include: a request for a Masonic service and what to do with the Brother’s apron and Masonic regalia. These requests can be to the family in writing or verbally and will result in less stress upon the family during their hour of grief. At the beginning of each lodge year, the Master should designate lodge brothers to take ritual parts of these events. Rehearsal of these ceremonies is important.Slide #2 Planning for these solemn events is essential and a duty of the Master of the lodge. It should be taken seriously. The Master should encourage all the brothers to relate to their families their own Masonic funerals wishes. Things to be discussed include: a request for a Masonic service and what to do with the Brother’s apron and Masonic regalia. These requests can be to the family in writing or verbally and will result in less stress upon the family during their hour of grief. At the beginning of each lodge year, the Master should designate lodge brothers to take ritual parts of these events. Rehearsal of these ceremonies is important.

    3. Dealing with the family Slide #3 At the news of the death of a Brother, the Master should contact the family immediately and request a time to meet with the next of kin. Before this personal contact is made, the Master should find out as much as he can about the brother to make the meeting go smoothly.Slide #3 At the news of the death of a Brother, the Master should contact the family immediately and request a time to meet with the next of kin. Before this personal contact is made, the Master should find out as much as he can about the brother to make the meeting go smoothly.

    4. MASONIC LAST RITES REQUEST Are Masonic Services requested? What to do with the apron? Memorials given to? Masonic pallbearers? Appendant organizations? S & C next to Obituary? Slide #4 The Master should offer to have the lodge perform Masonic services for the brother remembering that it is the family’s wishes and not the lodge’s wishes that should be adhered to. Other questions might be asked concerning the use of the apron, Masonic pallbearers and other organizations. You might also suggest that the Masonic Emblem be printed next to the brother’s obituary in the newspaper. Slide #4 The Master should offer to have the lodge perform Masonic services for the brother remembering that it is the family’s wishes and not the lodge’s wishes that should be adhered to. Other questions might be asked concerning the use of the apron, Masonic pallbearers and other organizations. You might also suggest that the Masonic Emblem be printed next to the brother’s obituary in the newspaper.

    5. Contacting the Brothers Email Calling Committee Slide #5Slide #5

    6. The Presentation of the Apron and The Tribute of Acacia. Slide #6 There are numerous Masonic ceremonies that may be used and all of them may be some what altered by the presenters. A requirement, however, is to include the presentation of the Masonic apron and the Tribute of the Sprig of Acacia in the ceremony. Slide #6 There are numerous Masonic ceremonies that may be used and all of them may be some what altered by the presenters. A requirement, however, is to include the presentation of the Masonic apron and the Tribute of the Sprig of Acacia in the ceremony.

    7. Slide #7 The Grand Lodge provides booklets entitled “Our Tribute of Affection” at minimal cost. This booklet contains an abbreviated Masonic service along with certificates concerning the identity and Masonic history of the decedent. On the last page is a registry allowing each Mason attending the service to sign. This is a very appropriate gift to be given to the next of kin immediately following the Masonic service. It allows the Master to approach the next of kin with a gift that will be long remembered.Slide #7 The Grand Lodge provides booklets entitled “Our Tribute of Affection” at minimal cost. This booklet contains an abbreviated Masonic service along with certificates concerning the identity and Masonic history of the decedent. On the last page is a registry allowing each Mason attending the service to sign. This is a very appropriate gift to be given to the next of kin immediately following the Masonic service. It allows the Master to approach the next of kin with a gift that will be long remembered.

    8. PART I To be used at Mortuary, Chapel, Hall or Church Slide #8 The Minnesota Masonic manual contains several services that may be used for different situations. Final Masonic rites should in no way copy ritual services of the church, synagogue or mosque. Our rites are a Masonic tribute and should affirm our own Masonic language and symbolism. When addressing Deity in prayer, it should never be done to exclude brothers of other faiths. Referral to Deity should be inclusive and universal, not sectarian and denominational.Slide #8 The Minnesota Masonic manual contains several services that may be used for different situations. Final Masonic rites should in no way copy ritual services of the church, synagogue or mosque. Our rites are a Masonic tribute and should affirm our own Masonic language and symbolism. When addressing Deity in prayer, it should never be done to exclude brothers of other faiths. Referral to Deity should be inclusive and universal, not sectarian and denominational.

    9. PART II To be used at the place of interment. Slide #9 A separate ceremony can be found in the manual for a graveside service. In this case as with the service for the mortuary and place of worship, the use of the apron and presentation of the sprig of acacia is required.Slide #9 A separate ceremony can be found in the manual for a graveside service. In this case as with the service for the mortuary and place of worship, the use of the apron and presentation of the sprig of acacia is required.

    10. A SHORT BURIAL SERVICE. For use at the grave during inclement weather Slide #10 For inclement weather, a short burial service is available that meets the requirements of Masonic final rites.Slide #10 For inclement weather, a short burial service is available that meets the requirements of Masonic final rites.

    11. A Private Memorial Service To be used at a Stated Communication of a Masonic Lodge Slide #11 For lodge members only, a private memorial service may be held in open lodge or at the next stated communication. This ceremony is also explained in the Minnesota Masonic manual.Slide #11 For lodge members only, a private memorial service may be held in open lodge or at the next stated communication. This ceremony is also explained in the Minnesota Masonic manual.

    12. CEREMONYS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING A LODGE OF SORROW Slide #12 It is the duty of the Master to have the lodge formally opened on the “Lodge of Sorrow” during any ceremony of final rites. This may be done by the brothers assembling in the lodge beforehand and then proceeding to the place where the ceremony will take place. An easier solution is to open the Lodge of Sorrow at the beginning of the Master’s term and closing it at the end thereby leaving it open the entire year for convenience. There are a number of ceremonies that can be used to open and close the Lodge of Sorrow one of which is described in the Minnesota Masonic manual.Slide #12 It is the duty of the Master to have the lodge formally opened on the “Lodge of Sorrow” during any ceremony of final rites. This may be done by the brothers assembling in the lodge beforehand and then proceeding to the place where the ceremony will take place. An easier solution is to open the Lodge of Sorrow at the beginning of the Master’s term and closing it at the end thereby leaving it open the entire year for convenience. There are a number of ceremonies that can be used to open and close the Lodge of Sorrow one of which is described in the Minnesota Masonic manual.

    13. In case of Cremation Slide #13 In case the body of the decedent has been cremated, a table may be used to display the apron and to offer the tribute of Acacia.Slide #13 In case the body of the decedent has been cremated, a table may be used to display the apron and to offer the tribute of Acacia.

    14. Grand Lodges that permit Masonic Funerals for EAs & FCs Slide #14 Minnesota allows First and Second Degree Masons to have Masonic funeral services. In some sates only Master Masons have the right to Masonic services. The Master should be aware of this issue if asking for or offering to give courtesy work for another state. Slide #14 Minnesota allows First and Second Degree Masons to have Masonic funeral services. In some sates only Master Masons have the right to Masonic services. The Master should be aware of this issue if asking for or offering to give courtesy work for another state.

    15. Show Dignity and Respect To the departed Brother To His Family To his Faith To the Lodge Slide #15 Final Masonic rites is one of the few public Masonic ceremonies. Many non Masons form an opinion of the Craft by viewing this ceremony. The impression you give to the family and friends of your departed brother will live long in the memories of his family and friends.Slide #15 Final Masonic rites is one of the few public Masonic ceremonies. Many non Masons form an opinion of the Craft by viewing this ceremony. The impression you give to the family and friends of your departed brother will live long in the memories of his family and friends.

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