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Are you Considering a Masonic Funeral?
By Brother Felix A. Colon Many a member has expressed interest in having
his Lodge perform a Masonic funeral upon their death. This is your right as a Mason. But how does one go about making this
preparation and where can such a service take place?
First, a Masonic funeral
is held at the request of a departed Brother or his family. Second, the service may be held in a chapel, home, church, synagogue
or Lodge room with committal at graveside, or the complete service can be performed at any of the aforementioned places without
a separate, committal. Also, a memorial service may be requested, however, you should make your wishes known to your immediate
family. The Masonic service may be held in conjunction with a religious service and/or other fraternal service such as Legion
or Elks or may be the only service performed. This is at the pleasure of the family, the only restriction being that the Masonic
service, once started, must be completed without interruption for another service.
Discuss this with those
responsible openly and frankly. It is highly recommended that you: (1) put your wishes in writing, (2) give a copy to the
person who will handle your affairs, and (3) place another copy with your will, insurance papers and other valuable documents
so that your survivors can clearly comply with your expressed wishes.
Whether or not you desire
to have a Masonic funeral, keep in mind that the emotional anguish and trauma suffered by the survivors (more often than not),
affects their ability to think with the clarity they normally possess. This is a normal reaction and it is not unusual for
widows and others to be at a loss and unable to recall important dates, anniversaries, event, personal interest and major
accomplishments of the deceased, therefore everybody should consider preparing an autobiographical profile of their life and
updating it as necessary to keep it current. The contents should include such information as: date and place of birth, number
of brothers and sisters, marriage(s), number of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, etc., religious affiliation,
favorite scripture(s), hymn(s), song(s), church offices held, occupation or vocation, social accomplishments, recognitions
or awards, membership in fraternal or civic/service clubs, offices held, dates of military service, rank held and any major
medals, citations or commendations earned, also any public offices held. By way of additional information, include such things
as hobbies (art, etc.) educational and professional accomplishments. You will want to record travels or unusual experiences
you have had, not only as a child, but special events that took place as you were growing up. You may also want to record
your own account of certain family events that stand out in your memory and share why these events were important to you.
Take the opportunity to write down all those good thoughts that will make you look good. It is a lot easier to edit what you
have written than it is to try to create a profile of isolated and fragmented memories.
The funeral - properly
planned for - can be a source of great comfort and healing to loved ones and friends, especially when those present get an
accurate profile and better insight into the life of the person they have come to honor. This data is also invaluable to the
person conducting the service.
Masonic Funeral Planning
Short Talk Bulletin
Volume
80, No. 3 ~ March 2002
by RWB Zelwin B. Eaton, MMBBFMN #412
Editor, The Missouri Freemason
"So live that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan that moves to that mysterious realm where each
shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death ..." (from
the Grand Lodge of Missouri Masonic Funeral Service)
We have all listened
to these ageless words spoken in honor of departed Brethren. The question I am asking is:
When it is you these words are spoken over, have you made the
preparations necessary to satisfy the laws of the land and to ease the burden of your passing on your family?
 It is something we should all consider in a timely manner and especially while we are of sound mind and body and can make
proper decisions regarding our possessions and last wishes.
Approaching this task from the standpoint of membership in the Fraternity,
we must deal with the long-standing tradition not to discuss, in detail, the business and customs of the Fraternity with family
members. Therefore, many widows and children have no idea who in the Lodge needs to be notified of our passing. Let us make
a few suggestions that will ease the burden on your family and, at the same time, ease the burden on the Lodge Secretary and
the Master.
 Include with your important papers, envelopes addressed to the Lodge Secretary and the secretaries of all the appendant bodies
in which you have membership. Put a sheet of paper in each envelope with your Masonic history (if you have been a member of
more than one Lodge, be sure your list reflects the correct names and locations of all Lodges in which you have held membership
in case you have transferred your membership) and a place for your survivor to write the date of your passing and such other
information that might be of interest to the Lodge and/or appendant bodies. Attach to the envelopes a sheet of paper with
detailed instructions that explain to your next of kin the importance of notifying each Masonic body of your passing. If you
are uncertain what the correct address is, look at the return address on your latest dues notice. Also, include with these
important papers a sheet of paper with instructions on whom to contact to request a Masonic funeral service. The Master of
your Lodge is always an appropriate person to contact when requesting a service. If he is unavailable, contact your Lodge
Secretary.
 It would be a good idea to write a draft of your obituary so that those things that were important to you, in your life,
will be known to others. It also insures your Masonic memberships, titles, and honors are spelled accurately. Include the
full name of each body as well as the complete title of each office you have held. Be sure to also include specific instructions
on the disposal of your Masonic ritual books, pins, aprons, and related items.
If you have been a collector of Masonic books, pamphlets and other
such items, be sure to suggest proper disposition of these articles. This may be to a Masonic relative who is interested,
to the Lodge for their library, or a brother who you know will keep and treasure your books as you did. Alternatively, you
may want to donate your books to the Lodge with instructions to sell them and use the money earned for upkeep of the Lodge
hall or for a Lodge charity. Whatever your personal wishes, make timely plans and leave clear instructions. It is sad to go
to a flea market or yard sale and see someone's Masonic book collection lying in a neglected heap on a dusty table.
 Now for a look at the worldly side of the issue of death. As in disposition of your Masonic belongings, it should be a priority
with every brother to make final plans. You should contact a funeral director and ask him or her for assistance in preplanning
your funeral and burial. Your funeral director can assist you in developing a "pre-need plan." This plan can be purchased
and paid for at any time. The funeral director will help you select your casket, service, vault, grave plot, and grave marker
or guide you if your wish is cremation. Also, they will make suggestions on the type of service and what will be included
in the service, such as visitation times, minister/spiritual leader, songs, casket bearers, Masonic emblem on the service
folder. The funeral director should be instructed to remind the family that it is customary for the apron to remain in the
casket.
The funeral director will counsel you on the financial aspects of
your service and will help you to select a casket, burial site, etc., that is within your financial range. He will suggest
options for paying for your pre-need, which can include CDs, insurance policies, etc. An advantage of prepaying is that the
cost can be frozen to protect against inflation and save your family members these expenses when the service is needed.
 The funeral director can give you a book that guides you in providing the information needed. You should complete this book
carefully and completely. Be sure to include a copy of your obituary and a copy of the list of Masonic bodies you belong to
as was suggested earlier in this pamphlet. If you are a veteran be sure to include pertinent information about your service
record. This should include branch of service, rank held, medals awarded, date of entry, date of discharge, service serial
number and a copy of your discharge papers.
You should visit your attorney and have him draw up a last will
and testament. This will ensure your wishes are legal and binding, and will leave no doubt as to the disposition of your property.
Such arrangements will raise a big burden from the shoulders of your survivors at a very traumatic time in their lives.
Therefore, Brethren, do it now, for as the Masonic funeral service
says we, none of us, know when that time will come. Be prepared and be considerate of your loved ones and your brothers and,
most of all, be prepared yourself, first in your heart and secondly in your affairs.
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