Masonic funeral - graveside

Funeral Services (from Washington Monitor) – Graveside

Master: From time immemorial it has been a custom of the Society of Free and Accepted Masons, on proper request, to accompany the remains of a Brother to their final resting-place.

In conformity with this ancient usage, and in accord with our loving duty to our brother, we are assembled here as Masons to offer tribute of our affection and to testify before the world our faith in the almighty Father and His beneficent goodness to us, His children.

With becoming reverence, then, let us supplicate the Divine Grace to insure the favor of that Eternal Being whose goodness and power know no bounds; that on the arrival of the momentous hour when the fading taper of human life shall faintly glimmer in the socket of our existence, our faith may draw aside the sable curtain, and our hope may sustain and cheer the departing spirit.

Chaplain: Almighty and Eternal God – in Whom we live and move and have our being, we beseech Thee to be present with us in this hour and during all the days of our earthly life; lead us by the hand of love; point out to us the pathway of duty. Pour out Thy continual blessing upon the relatives and friends of our departed brother. Lead them to know that he is waiting to greet them in a world where light and bliss are eternal. Grant us Thy divine assurance, oh! Most merciful God, to redeem our misspent time, and, in the important duties which Thou hast assigned us in the erection of our spiritual temple, give us wisdom to direct us, strength to support us and the beauty of holiness to adorn our labors and render them acceptable in Thy sight, so that, when our labors here on earth are ended, we may be with Thee amidst the radiant splendor of eternal truth. Amen!

Response: So mote it be!

Master: We commit the body of our Brother to the kindly embrace of Mother Earth, in a sleep so profound that the giant tread of the earthquake shall not disturb it; but his spirit has winged its flight to that blissful Lodge which will remain open during the endless ages of eternity. In that Heavenly Sanctuary, the Mystic Light, unmingled with darkness, will reign unbroken and perpetual; and there, amid the sunbeam-smiles of Immutable Love, under the benignant bend of the All-Seeing Eye, by the Infinite Grace of the Almighty Father, we shall meet again.

LAMBSKIN APRON

Master: (Holding up apron, unfolded) The Lambskin, or white leather apron, is an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a Mason. Its pure and spotless surface is an ever-present reminder of that purity of life so essentially necessary to gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge above. This emblem I now place upon the casket of our brother, as a symbol of his labors in our Craft, and as a token of our brotherhood with him and our kindred sonship with the Father. (Drops apron, by three distinct pauses, upon the casket.) Thy day of toil on earth, my brother, is over. Thou hast entered upon a greater field of labor and love.

SCROLL

Master: This scroll, on which is inscribed the name of our departed Brother, I now deposit with his remains (drops it on casket). He has passed away, never more to return. His name is inscribed in the Book of Life.

THE SPRIG OF ACACIA

Master: (holding up sprig) The Evergreen, which once marked the temporary resting-place of one illustrious in Masonic legend, is an emblem of our faith in the immortality of the soul. By it we are reminded that we have an imperishable, immortal spirit, which survives this death, and which will never, never, never die. By it we are admonished that we, too, like our Brother, whose remains now lie before us, shall soon be clothed in the habiliments of death; yet, through the loving kindness of the Supreme Grand Master, we may confidently hope that our souls will hereafter flourish in eternal spring.

FUNERAL GRAND HONORS

His Spirit hath ascended on high

We commit his body to the grave

And cherish his memory forever.

(x3)

AT PLACE OF FINAL COMMITMENT

Master: Reverently we commit the body of our Brother to the grave – earth to earth (drops earth from hand, by three distinct pauses, on coffin); ashes to ashes (drops earth as before); dust to dust (drops earth as before). Though our brother has passed beyond our mortal view, yet we can trustingly leave him in the hands of a beneficent Being, who doeth all things well, who is glorious in His holiness, wondrous in His power, and boundless in His goodness and love.

Soft and safe to thee, my Brother, be this earthly bed! Fragrant be the acacia that here shall bloom! May the year’s earliest buds unfold their beauties o’er this thy resting place! May each springtime renew their loveliness! And here may the sweetness of the summer’s last rose linger longest!

CLOSING

With firm faith and reliance in the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe, we know that we shall meet once more in realms beyond the skies. Until then, dear friend and Brother, until then, farewell!

BENEDICTION

Chaplain: The Lord bless us, and keep us: The Lord make His face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us: the Lord lift upon us the light of His countenance, and give us peace. Amen.

Response: So mote it be.