Masonic Charges and Burials

[Blake Bowden]

Apparently in Texas, if Masonic Charges are brought against you, then you are ineligible to have a Masonic Burial. If true, this is dangerous ground. Why should this privilege be removed if a Brother has yet to be found guilty? What happens if he passed during this phase? Is he out of luck? Would it be possible to receive special dispensation from the Grand Master if this were to occur?

 

[rhitland]

I guess anything is possiable but I highly dought it, charges pending also keep someone from being noninated for an office. It used to be if you filled crazy charges they would turn around and get that guy but this is no longer the case GL and us let charges run wild.

 

[Bro. Stewart P.M.]

I could understand that if the charges were PROVEN that the Brother would loose his rights to Masonic burial. However I don't understand how simple un-proven charges could be SO devistating.

I am curious to find out how this works.

 

[Blake Bowden]

I hope that something could be brought up at GL to change this.

 

[Wingnut]

art 360 covers this in detail:

Art. 360. To Whom Not Extended. Whenever a member of a Lodge commits a Masonic disciplinary violation, or is laboring under charges involving un-Masonic conduct and dies before such charges have been filed or disposed of according to Masonic Law; or in case any member suffers death under circumstances that are discreditable; or that may subject his memory to reproach, the Worshipful Master of the Lodge may refuse to allow him a Masonic funeral.

No expelled Mason shall be accorded a Masonic funeral, and no suspended Mason shall be accorded a Masonic funeral except as otherwise provided in these Laws, but no Mason who stands suspended for non-payment of dues at the time of his death can be restored to membership thereafter by payment, or remission, of such dues.


When a suspended or expelled Mason has been reinstated in a Lodge, subject to approval of the Grand Lodge, and dies before the Grand Lodge has acted, the Grand Master has the discretion to grant a dispensation for a Masonic funeral. No dispensation may be granted where there has been no reinstatement.

The privilege of a Masonic funeral, when requested, shall be extended to Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts who die within twelve months of the conferral of the Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft Degree upon them, or have petitioned and been favorably balloted upon for advancement subject to the other applicable provisions of this Article.

(its also covered in the LIFE program)...

 

[rhitland]

art 360 covers this in detail:

Art. 360. but no Mason who stands suspended for non-payment of dues at the time of his death can be restored to membership thereafter by payment, or remission, of such dues.

I did not know this part that is sad my Grandfather in-law lost his job and had 7 kids and had no choice but to get suspended, he died not to long after from asbestos he inhaled from the job that fired him. I always wanted to catch him up then endow him at his lodge and go to his gravesite to give him Masonic rites but I guess GL has a rule against that. Wonder if they might bend that one! lol

 

[Bill Lins]

I did not know this part that is sad my Grandfather in-law lost his job and had 7 kids and had no choice but to get suspended,

Actually, he DID have a choice- far better to take a demit (dimit?) in that circumstance than to let yourself be suspended.

We need to remember that being there for a Brother's family and doing what's best for the Craft should be what's most important, and that's why we give the WM so much latitude to make the call.

If the Brother is NPD not by choice, I feel that the family and the Craft are far better served by extending the honor of Masonic services than to deny them out of spite. Of course, YMMV.

 

[rhitland]

Pride did get the best of him on that on, you are right he should have demitted but I bet he did not even give that a thought wish he would have.

 

[nick1368]

I did not know this part that is sad my Grandfather in-law lost his job and had 7 kids and had no choice but to get suspended,

we had a smimilar situation, where a PM lost his job and has a child with special needs. When he was contacted by the WM about getting a 2nd dues notice, he explained his situation. the WM brought that back to the lodge and we voted to remit his dues so he wouldn't go suspended or have to demit.

 

[scottmh59]

i think in that situation,the brothers performing the service just check the dirt a couple of times..right tom?

 

[TCShelton]

i think in that situation,the brothers performing the service just check the dirt a cuple of times..right tom?

Man, that is another story for another day...