My maternal side of the family has a large plot in the local cemetery here in Columbus, OH. My paternal side is scattered all over the country. Most of my blood relatives barely speak to each other. I know I won't have anyone to tend to my grave. My Husband and I decided that we'll be cremated and our ashes interred in the columbarium of our church. There, everyone is uniform and equal before God. Just name and dates. Nothing else. We find it a perfect place to keep what is left of our physical remains. What is important will reside in the hearts of those we have touched.
Thanks for the message about honoring our ancestors on Memorial Day. I called my brother in WV, about if he had yet been to the Cemetery where many of our ancestors are buried?
He had not, as he was leaving a Memorial Day Service where his "Highlanders Pipe & Drum Corps" performed. I told him I had played TAPS on one of my Bugles in a Cemetery where the named soldier is buried of The American Legion Dept of Florida "Arnold Vern Allen" Post 166.
After our Ceremony, we distributed Flags by the tombstones of Veterans. Many tombstones did also have Masonic Symbols inscribed. I asked my brother to consider adding a Masonic Tombstone for our father? Presently, there is only a US Army marker.
I sent a photo of a small Stone resembling the "Washington Monument", as our dad was WV Masonic Grand Lodge Grand Master 1968. Thanks for your essay.
I’ve been serving as chaplain of our lodge for about five years now, and one of the things I really appreciate is that our Worshipful Master lets me share a short “Spiritual Thought” at each meeting. For our May meeting this year, I decided to do a sort of Masonic Memorial Day moment for our brothers who’ve passed on.
I took a few minutes to read the names of some of the brethren we've lost in recent years. These were men who meant a lot to me and our lodge—each one left his own unique mark. I shared a few warm memories and stories about ten of them. Some funny, some touching, all heartfelt. It was a reminder of how much they gave, and how deeply they’re missed.
At the end, I said something I think we all felt: one day, the Grand Architect of the Universe will call each of our names too. And when that happens, I hope we’re remembered with the same kind of warmth, laughter, and respect as we remember those who came before us.
It was a simple moment, but a meaningful one. And I think that’s what Masonry is all about—honoring the past while trying to live well in the present.
I guess it is vanity, but I literally want to leave my mark on this earth. But you're right, fewer and fewer folks visit their ancestors and loved ones. Last year I invited my last remaining family, my brother and his wife, to go out to the local cemetery where the majority of our family is buried. The SIL refused, saying she had no desire to tromp around looking for graves. So I went myself.
I had spent a lot of time on the website www.findagrave.com looking for and notating my family gravesites. The website is crowdsourced, volunteers go to cemeteries and catalog each and every grave. From there, you can log into the website and collate the grave relationships. For example, this is my grandfather: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98125492/lorenz-geiss . When you look at his page, you can see all the relations organized, parents, siblings, spouse, children, etc. When I first saw it, it was only partially done, I created all of the links and added missing listings, including my dad and brother, whose ashes were scattered and there is no grave marker. It's all free.
So, there are other ways to be remembered. Facebook, for example, allows family to designate your page as deceased, so it can be visited and not taken down. So family can visit it virtually and post memories if they want. I did that for my dad and brother.
So, even if you wish to be cremated and ashes scattered, there are more ways for you to live on, at least virtually.
Those members of our extended families are scattered in cemeteries from coast to coast. Neither of our families has anything like a family plot. My parents donated their bodies to science - in part to eliminate anywhere for people to go to "grieve" them. Those was there wishes and we respected them. There are times when I would like to be able to pay them a quiet visit. I'm glad for those of you who have that privilege - don't squander it!
That was sort of, I think, what my dad wanted. I think he said he didn’t want anyone to grieve for him, but I always, subconsciously maybe, felt that he felt guilt for his life? I dunno. In the end his ashes (which isn’t actually accurate) were dumped in the narrows, which he agreed was ok. But honestly, when looking at a gravestone of a passed family member, I don’t grieve. I just remember them and the impact they had on my life. I don’t miss my dad. He lived a full life, and died having fulfilled his obligations as a man. I don’t think there is anything to grieve about.
Reflections upon the past can create ripples through to the future. I believe that the markers are mostly for the living.
They provide a waypoint of sorts. A memento of fonder times, cherished memories, or significant achievements. Perhaps to also remind us that time is fleeting. Granting the opportunity to reflect on the regrets of things done, or left incomplete, with the limited time we were given.
I think it is to remind the living to pursue a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. To show us what is in store for each of us at the end of our journeys. To ensure we reflect upon how we might be remembered, or why. Honoring those who came before us, and transferring their mantles to those who would carry them into the future.
Memento Mori & Amor Fati MW Brother, excellent post. Have a Blessed one!
My maternal side of the family has a large plot in the local cemetery here in Columbus, OH. My paternal side is scattered all over the country. Most of my blood relatives barely speak to each other. I know I won't have anyone to tend to my grave. My Husband and I decided that we'll be cremated and our ashes interred in the columbarium of our church. There, everyone is uniform and equal before God. Just name and dates. Nothing else. We find it a perfect place to keep what is left of our physical remains. What is important will reside in the hearts of those we have touched.
MWPGM Bailey,
Thanks for the message about honoring our ancestors on Memorial Day. I called my brother in WV, about if he had yet been to the Cemetery where many of our ancestors are buried?
He had not, as he was leaving a Memorial Day Service where his "Highlanders Pipe & Drum Corps" performed. I told him I had played TAPS on one of my Bugles in a Cemetery where the named soldier is buried of The American Legion Dept of Florida "Arnold Vern Allen" Post 166.
After our Ceremony, we distributed Flags by the tombstones of Veterans. Many tombstones did also have Masonic Symbols inscribed. I asked my brother to consider adding a Masonic Tombstone for our father? Presently, there is only a US Army marker.
I sent a photo of a small Stone resembling the "Washington Monument", as our dad was WV Masonic Grand Lodge Grand Master 1968. Thanks for your essay.
I’ve been serving as chaplain of our lodge for about five years now, and one of the things I really appreciate is that our Worshipful Master lets me share a short “Spiritual Thought” at each meeting. For our May meeting this year, I decided to do a sort of Masonic Memorial Day moment for our brothers who’ve passed on.
I took a few minutes to read the names of some of the brethren we've lost in recent years. These were men who meant a lot to me and our lodge—each one left his own unique mark. I shared a few warm memories and stories about ten of them. Some funny, some touching, all heartfelt. It was a reminder of how much they gave, and how deeply they’re missed.
At the end, I said something I think we all felt: one day, the Grand Architect of the Universe will call each of our names too. And when that happens, I hope we’re remembered with the same kind of warmth, laughter, and respect as we remember those who came before us.
It was a simple moment, but a meaningful one. And I think that’s what Masonry is all about—honoring the past while trying to live well in the present.
I guess it is vanity, but I literally want to leave my mark on this earth. But you're right, fewer and fewer folks visit their ancestors and loved ones. Last year I invited my last remaining family, my brother and his wife, to go out to the local cemetery where the majority of our family is buried. The SIL refused, saying she had no desire to tromp around looking for graves. So I went myself.
I had spent a lot of time on the website www.findagrave.com looking for and notating my family gravesites. The website is crowdsourced, volunteers go to cemeteries and catalog each and every grave. From there, you can log into the website and collate the grave relationships. For example, this is my grandfather: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98125492/lorenz-geiss . When you look at his page, you can see all the relations organized, parents, siblings, spouse, children, etc. When I first saw it, it was only partially done, I created all of the links and added missing listings, including my dad and brother, whose ashes were scattered and there is no grave marker. It's all free.
So, there are other ways to be remembered. Facebook, for example, allows family to designate your page as deceased, so it can be visited and not taken down. So family can visit it virtually and post memories if they want. I did that for my dad and brother.
So, even if you wish to be cremated and ashes scattered, there are more ways for you to live on, at least virtually.
Those members of our extended families are scattered in cemeteries from coast to coast. Neither of our families has anything like a family plot. My parents donated their bodies to science - in part to eliminate anywhere for people to go to "grieve" them. Those was there wishes and we respected them. There are times when I would like to be able to pay them a quiet visit. I'm glad for those of you who have that privilege - don't squander it!
That was sort of, I think, what my dad wanted. I think he said he didn’t want anyone to grieve for him, but I always, subconsciously maybe, felt that he felt guilt for his life? I dunno. In the end his ashes (which isn’t actually accurate) were dumped in the narrows, which he agreed was ok. But honestly, when looking at a gravestone of a passed family member, I don’t grieve. I just remember them and the impact they had on my life. I don’t miss my dad. He lived a full life, and died having fulfilled his obligations as a man. I don’t think there is anything to grieve about.
Interesting to read food for thought, thank you
Reflections upon the past can create ripples through to the future. I believe that the markers are mostly for the living.
They provide a waypoint of sorts. A memento of fonder times, cherished memories, or significant achievements. Perhaps to also remind us that time is fleeting. Granting the opportunity to reflect on the regrets of things done, or left incomplete, with the limited time we were given.
I think it is to remind the living to pursue a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. To show us what is in store for each of us at the end of our journeys. To ensure we reflect upon how we might be remembered, or why. Honoring those who came before us, and transferring their mantles to those who would carry them into the future.
Memento Mori & Amor Fati MW Brother, excellent post. Have a Blessed one!