• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • What Is Freemasonry?
  • Who Are Freemasons?
  • What Does Freemasonry Do?
  • 2B1ask1
  • Family of Freemasonry
  • Masonic Symbols

Freemason Information

Masonic Education and Analysis

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Gregory B. Stewart
    • Frederic L. Milliken
    • Tim Bryce
  • Education
    • Masonic Symbols
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Freemasonry in General
    • Family of Freemasonry
    • Famous Freemasons
    • Books
    • Masonic Poetry
    • Anti-Freemasonry
    • Masonic History
    • Freemasonry in Cinema
    • Esoteric Freemasonry
    • Grand Lodges
  • Masonic Books
    • Masonic Books A-G
    • Masonic Books H-M
    • Masonic Books N-Z
    • Masonic Books for the New Mason
  • Masonic Central Podcast
  • Special Offers
    • Art
    • Masonic Top Hats
    • Masonic Rings
    • Past Master Rings
  • Contact
    • Submit a Guest Post
You are here: Home / Archives for masonic funerals

masonic funerals

Masonic Funerals – Understanding Our Duty

October 15, 2009 by TimBryce

Early last year I lost my father, a 57 year Mason. I had the pleasure of calling him “Brother,” as he raised me to the sublime degree of Master Mason many years ago. He was a loyal Mason and we gave him a Masonic Memorial Service that was well attended by Brothers from Florida’s Districts 20 & 21. His home lodge, Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks No. 441 F.& A.M. of Buffalo, New York was also represented. This was certainly appreciated by my family and I know my father would have liked it.

Having said this, my thoughts turn to Masonic funeral services in general. I have attended many such services over the years and I have found them to be greatly appreciated by the families of the deceased. Many are overwhelmed by the love and support the Masons express during the service. As far as I’m concerned, attending a Masonic service is the very least we can do for a Brother, regardless if he is a local member or from a distant jurisdiction. I am always amazed how some Brothers are unwilling to attend such a service. Many mistakenly believe they have to belong to an Acacia/funeral committee in order to participate. In reality, it is our duty as a Mason to attend such a service whether we know the Brother or not. I realize some services are performed during the day when many of us are working and unable to attend. But aside from this, if there is a Masonic service to be performed, and our cable-tow permits us, we should be in attendance.

Many claim they simply are unaware of the passing of Brothers. All you need to do is browse the obituaries of the local newspapers, either the printed form or on the Internet. As for me, I have bookmarked the obituary sections of the local newspapers and regularly scan them using keywords such as “Mason” and “Lodge.” When I come upon a Brother from a northern jurisdiction, I e-mail the obit to his Grand Lodge and, if I can find it, his home Lodge. As a past Secretary myself, I know this is very much appreciated.

Regardless if you scan the obits on the Internet or in the printed version, there should be at least one person in your Lodge charged with monitoring the passing of Masons. Although the Worshipful Master should be made aware of the passing of a Brother, the responsibility is typically delegated to the Secretary, the Chaplain, or the chairman of your funeral committee.

Also Brothers, please dress properly for a funeral. In Florida, for example, it is customary to wear a dark suit and tie; a tuxedo is not considered appropriate, nor are dungarees and shorts. Plain white aprons are the norm, not Lodge officer or Past Master aprons. Funeral committees usually make aprons available to Masons attending the service, but you may also want to bring your own in case they run short of aprons.

Prior to the funeral, the Brother’s Masonic background should be verified by his home jurisdiction, so that we might know more about the Brother and assure he is in good standing with his Lodge.

If you become involved with a committee charged with performing a Masonic funeral service, be sure you know your responsibilities, your lines (if any) and how to deport yourself during the service. Rehearsals are invaluable to assure the service comes off polished and dignified. Further, talk with the clergy or funeral directors involved prior to the service to assure the ceremony is well organized and runs like clockwork.

Attending or performing a Masonic service is not complicated, nor is it time consuming. And I can tell you this, a little dignity, a little polish, and a little sympathy is very much appreciated by the family of our departed Brother.

Keep the Faith.

Freemasonry From the Edge

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
“A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry”
Originally published on FmI in 2007

NOTE: As with all of my Masonic articles herein, please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:

Article reprinted with permission of the author and FreemasonInformation.com

Filed Under: Tim Bryce Tagged With: Brotherhood, masonic funerals

Primary Sidebar

FOLLOW US ONLINE

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

THE FIRST DEGREE OF FREEMASONRY

The Apprentice

The Apprentice

The Apprentice is a book about becoming a Freemasons. This work explores the secrets and symbolism of becoming a Freemason.

Learn More about The Apprentice

THE SECOND DEGREE OF FREEMASONRY

Fellow of the Craft

Fellow of the Craft

Drawing from the rich collection of masonic lore, Fellow of the Craft continues the masonic path of the Apprentice through the middle chamber in becoming a Freemason.

Learn More about Fellow of the Craft

THE THIRD DEGREE OF FREEMASONRY

The Master Mason

The Master Mason

Completing the journey into the symbolic lodge The Master Mason is a formal exploration of the symbolism and allegory at work in becoming a third degree of Freemason.

Learn More about The Master Mason

Symbols and Symbolism

Carl H. Claudy

Raised to a Master Mason in 1908, at Harmony Lodge No. 17 in Washington, DC, Carl H. Claudy  served as the Master and eventually as Grand Master of Masons … [Read More...] about Carl H. Claudy

Charity in Freemasonry

In this final installment of the Faith Hope and Charity series, we consider the symbolism of charity, or perhaps better called love. It is this attribute that … [Read More...] about Charity in Freemasonry

Hope in Freemasonry

In this installment of the Symbols and Symbolism of Freemasonry, we examine the text of Albert Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry on the symbolism of … [Read More...] about Hope in Freemasonry

Faith in Freemasonry

In this installment of the Symbols and Symbolism of Freemasonry, we consider a reading of Albert Mackey's text on the subject of Faith as it pertains to … [Read More...] about Faith in Freemasonry

More Symbols and Symbolism

Footer

Family of Freemasonry

  • Allied Masonic Degrees
  • Amaranth
  • Daughters of the Nile
  • DeMolay
  • George Washington Union Freemasonry
  • Grand Lodge Freemasonry
  • Grotto
  • High Twelve
  • International Freemasonic Order DELPHI
  • Job’s Daughters
  • Le Droit Humain
  • Memphis Misraim
  • Mixed Gender Masonry
  • Order of the Eastern Star
  • Prince Hall Freemasonry
  • Rainbow for Girls
  • Royal Order of Jesters
  • Scottish Rite
  • Shriners
  • S.C.I.O.T.S.
  • Sojourners
  • S.R.I.C.F.
  • Tall Cedars
  • White Shrine of Jerusalem
  • York Rite

You Might Like

  • Masonic Books
  • Famous Freemasons in History
  • Masonic Astronauts
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Masonic Poetry
  • The Letter G
  • Masonic Top Hats

Categories

  • Featured
  • Leadership
  • Masonic Traveler
    • Masonic Central
  • Misc
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Sojourners
  • Symbolism
    • Authors
    • What is Freemasonry
  • The Bee Hive
  • The Euphrates
  • Tim Bryce
  • Video

Subscribe

Receive new posts by email

Join 23,146 other subscribers

Send Us a Message

Do you have a question, comment, or concern? Do you have a paper, a presentation or a project you would like to publish?
Email it to us at: masonictraveler@gmail.com

Copyright © 2022