Masonic Funerals

I am researching masonic funerals and would like to know, with everyones help, what is the proper procedures, dress and any other information.

In Pennsylvania,we have 3 services that can be used. The first one is held in the Lodge room with a tyled Lodge open in the Master Mason's degree. Have never seen it used. A beautiful ceremony and don't understand why it's not used. The second one is used at home, funeral home or grave site. W.M.,S.W.,J.W. & Chaplain should be in Masonic Dress. Attending Brethren should be wearing dark clothes and aprons(gloves are optional). Worshipful Master( actual or brother serving as Master to conduct the service) should have the ceremony memorized if not he may read it from the Funeral Service Booklet placed on pedestal. The third is a memorial service to be used in situations where the remains of the deceased brother are absent (missing in action,lost at sea,air crash,lost in fire,etc.) A pedestal or table is used since there is no casket to place the apron,scroll & sprigs of evergreen on. Wording is similar to that used in regular Funeral Service.
If you have any other more specific questions let me know. Would be glad to answer them.

In Texas, the various services, including the Ante-Burial, are in your Monitor. The Lodge can either open a MM Lodge & call off before each funeral, and then call to labor & close the Lodge afterward, or can open a Lodge of Sorrow at the beginning of the Masonic year, call it from labor at that time, and then call it to labor and close it at the end of the Masonic year. The funeral master may be covered or not, at his option. All Brethren are to wear pure white aprons only- no officer or DDGM aprons (unless at a funeral conducted by the Grand Lodge).

The NM Monitor has 42 pages dedicated to "Memorial;" 7 for general instructions, followed by 10 variations on a theme.

Bill_Lins77488 said:

All Brethren are to wear pure white aprons only

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As the incoming Chaplain for 2013, I was reading through our Monitor, and discovered that this is the case here, too. Interestingly enough, I have never seen that rule followed. I have attended far too many services in my short career, and there have always been Officers aprons used. I might have to ruffle some feathers next time it comes up...

sgtfred13 said:

I am researching masonic funerals and would like to know, with everyones help, what is the proper procedures, dress and any other information.

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Like pretty much all ritual, it will vary by Grand Lodge.

I've requested a Masonic burial, I'd love nothing more than to have my brethren present with my family. In my will, everything that I own that is Masonic will be going to my lodge except my apron which either be buried with me or go to my son if he continues the tradition.

widows son said:

In my will, everything that I own that is Masonic will be going to my lodge

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Oy. We've apparently been running into this one. "Uncle Jimmy who is a member of some other lodge but lived the past few years in this area would have wanted your lodge to have X, Y & Z". So we had a stash of ton of Uncle Jimmys' X, Y & Z that we had to find some way to respectfully dispose of.

Not saying your stuff isn't unique and memorable and all, but I wonder what other lodges' experiences are with the hand me downs.

I'm sure mine or any lodge would gladly accept books on the craft or an apron from an outstanding life long brother. Every lodge has its own history, and would contribute to the local lodge's own history just as we are apart of that history.

I would posit that a surplus of memorabilia is better than the lack thereof! :laugh: