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?
>>Doesn't a legal will detail what happens with personal property anyways?
Yes.
But is that where you want this particular stuff to go, and do they want it?
I guess what I'm saying is that in my Will, assuming that my wife goes before me, all of my assets (including personal property) are divided equally by my three daughters. But while they might want a piece or two, certainly none of them would want my now rather massive collection of Masonic books and other stuff. Without knowing what else to do they might, at best, box it all up and stick it in an attic, leaving their own kids to deal with it someday.
I could break out my Masonic possessions in my Will, but as I recall, the last time I had it drafted it was about a thousand dollars. Adding additional detail would drive that cost even higher. It would also necessitate more frequent changes because if for example, I willed my Masonic Books to 'Brother Jim' and Brother Jim moved away or died, then I would have to get that bit updated to now reflect that they should go to 'Brother Bob,' all at some hundreds of dollars per hour.
On the other hand, if it was just a simple document that I could create and keep and update myself, it would provide the information the kids might want so that they could avoid the whole 'Box up the old fart's junk' problem. It could also provide for example, 'Brother Jim's' current phone number and email so that they don't have to go searching. Just give Brother Jim a call and let him know to stop by and pick up his new treasures.
Of course this would not have the same legal effect as a Will, and the kids could ignore it if they wanted, but at least in my case, they would have no reason to ignore it, for it would make their lives easier by relieving them of things that they would not want to have anyway.
When we got our wills updated recently, the attorney included phrases like this: “If I include a separate list of instructions for particular items, then follow those instructions.”
So we don’t have to, but we can be specific with various items. Store that page with our will, signed and dated, and we’re good to go.
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.
I think the amount of Masonic paraphernalia, jewelry, aprons even ciphers for sale on eBay indicates that at least some brethren and their families have not taken care of their Masonic materials in the legal will. I don't think a Masonic will, will solve all these problems, but i do think that leaving family guidance on what to do is a kindness you can do for your family, and a good thing for our order.
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?
>>Doesn't a legal will detail what happens with personal property anyways?
Yes.
But is that where you want this particular stuff to go, and do they want it?
I guess what I'm saying is that in my Will, assuming that my wife goes before me, all of my assets (including personal property) are divided equally by my three daughters. But while they might want a piece or two, certainly none of them would want my now rather massive collection of Masonic books and other stuff. Without knowing what else to do they might, at best, box it all up and stick it in an attic, leaving their own kids to deal with it someday.
I could break out my Masonic possessions in my Will, but as I recall, the last time I had it drafted it was about a thousand dollars. Adding additional detail would drive that cost even higher. It would also necessitate more frequent changes because if for example, I willed my Masonic Books to 'Brother Jim' and Brother Jim moved away or died, then I would have to get that bit updated to now reflect that they should go to 'Brother Bob,' all at some hundreds of dollars per hour.
On the other hand, if it was just a simple document that I could create and keep and update myself, it would provide the information the kids might want so that they could avoid the whole 'Box up the old fart's junk' problem. It could also provide for example, 'Brother Jim's' current phone number and email so that they don't have to go searching. Just give Brother Jim a call and let him know to stop by and pick up his new treasures.
Of course this would not have the same legal effect as a Will, and the kids could ignore it if they wanted, but at least in my case, they would have no reason to ignore it, for it would make their lives easier by relieving them of things that they would not want to have anyway.
When we got our wills updated recently, the attorney included phrases like this: “If I include a separate list of instructions for particular items, then follow those instructions.”
So we don’t have to, but we can be specific with various items. Store that page with our will, signed and dated, and we’re good to go.
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.
I think the amount of Masonic paraphernalia, jewelry, aprons even ciphers for sale on eBay indicates that at least some brethren and their families have not taken care of their Masonic materials in the legal will. I don't think a Masonic will, will solve all these problems, but i do think that leaving family guidance on what to do is a kindness you can do for your family, and a good thing for our order.
Thank you VW, I think so too.