A large percentage of our Brothers want to have a Masonic Funeral Service when they pass.
In my view, this way of honoring our departed Brothers is something that we do exceptionally well, at least here in my area.
But of course, each new generation of Masons must learn again. With that in mind:
Given that there is generally very little notice given before a service must be performed, how can we ensure that we are sharp when that unexpected call comes?
Are there some particular ways in which we can ensure that we are most comforting to the family?
Do we feel that there is a need for strict standardization of the work, or do we feel that variations of the work should be available so that it can be better suited to the individual situation?
Are there traditions, beyond the work, that are felt to be important to retain?
I think the masonic funerals we perform are wonderful, but the rituals in the work are a jumbled mess. I have in my binder a decently arranged ritual that attempts to make order out of chaos. At the last funeral I performed, it went very well.
But it does need to be tailored for each situation, which is why its such a mess I suppose.
The most important thing is to listen to the families wishes. You can work with them on fitting the ritual for their needs. For example, the work says we should be last to go, but if the family insists they want you to be first, then thats there prerogative.
We usually will do a simple practice beforehand, you have to, because each funeral home is different. How the processional goes, who stands where, etc has to be tailored to the environment. For this you need to go to the place where the ceremony will take place and survey.
Finally, talk with whoever is in charge of the arrangements, and do whatever you can to ease their minds about that portion of the service. Be on time, be properly attired, be respectful, and do your best to honor your brother.
I support what Bro. Glenn has to say. He's exactly right. It's the famalies wishes that are paramount, AND we need to coordnate with the funeral director or whomever is officiating.
Years ago, one of my closest friends was dirctor of Evergreen Washelli. Myron had spent his life in the funeral profession and he and I had many long conversations on a wide range of topics relating to death, burials, grief and greiving.
Over time, our friendship developed to, when he had a shortage of people, he asked me to help with a service. I was also present when he was asked to make final arrangements for a cancer patient. The point is that I got to see the inside of the business from a professional's prespective. And everthing I leared suports Bro. Glen's post.
I’ve been a part of several Masonic funerals, both at the cemetery and in the Lodge. The common theme I’ve seen in whether the ritual goes well or not is preparation. Putting together a Funeral Team at the last minute is something that usually goes poorly. A lodge or District Funeral Team is as important as a Degree Team if not more so. A funeral is done in public, in front of people who may be having there first experience with Freemasonry. It can be a great opportunity to show a big part of who we are, or we can look like clowns that slapped together something and paraded around the cemetery. A funeral ritual is the final degree we give a departed Brother and should be as important as when he received his First Degree.
I’m a firm believer in having at least one member of each lodge being qualified to perform the funeral work. If not by memory, at least by being able to read it well. This means being able to glance at it and read it and say the lines without stumbling over every word. With dignity.
I’d prefer to see a whole cadre of quality ritualists in every lodge. Requiring the memorization of the ritual by the officers would go a long way to acquire those skilled ritualists. Having an annual practice of the funeral and Grand Lodge honors would help the lodge do a better job of performing these tasks. Hell! Have a monthly officer’s school of instruction run the the Grand Lecturer or his representative to train the lodges!
We have great ritualists in the state, but they’re too few and far between. Without requiring memory work, we’ll never get that number to increase and we’ll continue to perform subpar ritual. Ritual is the way we impart our lessons to the candidates. We need to do better.
We also need to use music better than we do currently. No one practices with a musician. Masters are asking questions and talking while officers are walking to and from their assignments and there is no time to play any music in those gaps. If you use music correctly, it adds so much to the degrees and rituals.
Just my two cents worth. I’ve been a member for 39 years. I’ve seen good and bad.
As far as musicians go, I agree, but finding someone gifted enough to play an instrument, and play the proper music to go along with it, can be challenging.
Who says you need live music? Brothers can also do the DJ method. Get suitable selections and have a stereo system set up in your lodge for such a purpose, and for other purposes, such as having a movie night in your building. Think outside the box. Guitar? Sure! Horn instrument? Flute? Oboe? Strings?
Make connections in your community. Invite the high school music department or bands to perform at your building. Be polite. Listen. Foster the arts in your lodge. Colleges nearby? Invite music professors or professionals to talk music at your lodge.
I agree with all the previous comments. Yes, we have many rituals for funerals and memorial services, many of them specifically tailored to the occasion, where it is to be held, and the family's desires. Remember, it's *not* about us, the living. It is a "fare-thee-well" to a departed Brother, and a comfort to the family.
I think the masonic funerals we perform are wonderful, but the rituals in the work are a jumbled mess. I have in my binder a decently arranged ritual that attempts to make order out of chaos. At the last funeral I performed, it went very well.
But it does need to be tailored for each situation, which is why its such a mess I suppose.
The most important thing is to listen to the families wishes. You can work with them on fitting the ritual for their needs. For example, the work says we should be last to go, but if the family insists they want you to be first, then thats there prerogative.
We usually will do a simple practice beforehand, you have to, because each funeral home is different. How the processional goes, who stands where, etc has to be tailored to the environment. For this you need to go to the place where the ceremony will take place and survey.
Finally, talk with whoever is in charge of the arrangements, and do whatever you can to ease their minds about that portion of the service. Be on time, be properly attired, be respectful, and do your best to honor your brother.
I support what Bro. Glenn has to say. He's exactly right. It's the famalies wishes that are paramount, AND we need to coordnate with the funeral director or whomever is officiating.
Years ago, one of my closest friends was dirctor of Evergreen Washelli. Myron had spent his life in the funeral profession and he and I had many long conversations on a wide range of topics relating to death, burials, grief and greiving.
Over time, our friendship developed to, when he had a shortage of people, he asked me to help with a service. I was also present when he was asked to make final arrangements for a cancer patient. The point is that I got to see the inside of the business from a professional's prespective. And everthing I leared suports Bro. Glen's post.
I’ve been a part of several Masonic funerals, both at the cemetery and in the Lodge. The common theme I’ve seen in whether the ritual goes well or not is preparation. Putting together a Funeral Team at the last minute is something that usually goes poorly. A lodge or District Funeral Team is as important as a Degree Team if not more so. A funeral is done in public, in front of people who may be having there first experience with Freemasonry. It can be a great opportunity to show a big part of who we are, or we can look like clowns that slapped together something and paraded around the cemetery. A funeral ritual is the final degree we give a departed Brother and should be as important as when he received his First Degree.
I’m a firm believer in having at least one member of each lodge being qualified to perform the funeral work. If not by memory, at least by being able to read it well. This means being able to glance at it and read it and say the lines without stumbling over every word. With dignity.
I’d prefer to see a whole cadre of quality ritualists in every lodge. Requiring the memorization of the ritual by the officers would go a long way to acquire those skilled ritualists. Having an annual practice of the funeral and Grand Lodge honors would help the lodge do a better job of performing these tasks. Hell! Have a monthly officer’s school of instruction run the the Grand Lecturer or his representative to train the lodges!
We have great ritualists in the state, but they’re too few and far between. Without requiring memory work, we’ll never get that number to increase and we’ll continue to perform subpar ritual. Ritual is the way we impart our lessons to the candidates. We need to do better.
We also need to use music better than we do currently. No one practices with a musician. Masters are asking questions and talking while officers are walking to and from their assignments and there is no time to play any music in those gaps. If you use music correctly, it adds so much to the degrees and rituals.
Just my two cents worth. I’ve been a member for 39 years. I’ve seen good and bad.
As far as musicians go, I agree, but finding someone gifted enough to play an instrument, and play the proper music to go along with it, can be challenging.
Who says you need live music? Brothers can also do the DJ method. Get suitable selections and have a stereo system set up in your lodge for such a purpose, and for other purposes, such as having a movie night in your building. Think outside the box. Guitar? Sure! Horn instrument? Flute? Oboe? Strings?
Make connections in your community. Invite the high school music department or bands to perform at your building. Be polite. Listen. Foster the arts in your lodge. Colleges nearby? Invite music professors or professionals to talk music at your lodge.
Well, I could always crank up my guitar and amp and belt out a nice rendition of Thunderstruck or something.
Or play an acoustic guitar? 😉
Thunderstruck doesn't sound quite right on acoustic
I agree with all the previous comments. Yes, we have many rituals for funerals and memorial services, many of them specifically tailored to the occasion, where it is to be held, and the family's desires. Remember, it's *not* about us, the living. It is a "fare-thee-well" to a departed Brother, and a comfort to the family.
Just as a by-the-way, I've discovered an excellent website for Masonic education: www.TheEducator.ca, done by our Brother Masons in Canada.
Agreed. The Educator is a long standing and top notch website!