Commenting on Sunday’s post, VW Mike discussed a non-legally binding Masonic Will. Not to replace one’s legal Will, but a document through which one’s Masonic wishes could be made known to his survivors.
A document in which he could indicate to his family if he wants a Masonic funeral service, perhaps what version of Masonic Service, and who in the Lodge should be contacted concerning that.
In the document he could also indicate what he would like the family to do with his Masonic things. If he wanted to be buried with his apron, and if so, which one. What to do with other aprons. What to do with his books, jewelry, and trinkets. Plus who should be contacted about all of that, and how to contact them.
As Brother Mike suggests, this document could be kept with a Brother’s other important papers, with another copy at the Lodge, and it would be wise to keep it updated from time to time as circumstances change.
Let’s chat about it…
Do you like this idea?
If a ‘fill in the blanks’ template was created and made available, would you use it?
For something completely different, I was browsing another newsletter today, and found a link into an article about robotic operative Masons, what attempts have been made to turn brick laying into an automated system, and why those attempts haven’t really worked. If an article about operative Masonry is of interest, you should check it out:
When things became serious with my now wife, I took the time to explain to her the apron and what a masonic funeral was. I hope I have many years til it comes up again, but we don't know when we will be called.
Doesn't a legal will detail what happens with personal property anyways?
I have shown all my Masonic belongings to my children (who are now adults), and have told them what I want done with them. A simple one-page addition to my will takes care of this. Pins, coins, aprons, books, anything Masonic is all accounted for. Simple!
I have considered this further over the past couple of days. I think that the document should contain three parts:
1. Do I want a Masonic funeral, what form of Masonic funeral (Blue Lodge, Rose Croix, KT) who to contact to get this done?
2. Who should receive my Masonic 'stuff' that the family doesn't want. How do I contact them?
3. What stuff do I have in my house that belongs to the Lodge, and how does it get back to the Lodge?
I'm thinking about #3 because a great many Lodge Secretaries take things home, and I've heard situations whereby Lodges had a hard time getting those records back.
When things became serious with my now wife, I took the time to explain to her the apron and what a masonic funeral was. I hope I have many years til it comes up again, but we don't know when we will be called.
Doesn't a legal will detail what happens with personal property anyways?
I have shown all my Masonic belongings to my children (who are now adults), and have told them what I want done with them. A simple one-page addition to my will takes care of this. Pins, coins, aprons, books, anything Masonic is all accounted for. Simple!
I have considered this further over the past couple of days. I think that the document should contain three parts:
1. Do I want a Masonic funeral, what form of Masonic funeral (Blue Lodge, Rose Croix, KT) who to contact to get this done?
2. Who should receive my Masonic 'stuff' that the family doesn't want. How do I contact them?
3. What stuff do I have in my house that belongs to the Lodge, and how does it get back to the Lodge?
I'm thinking about #3 because a great many Lodge Secretaries take things home, and I've heard situations whereby Lodges had a hard time getting those records back.