In the public eye

[Ashlar2006]

When I receive the most positive comments about Freemasonry from non-Masons it is not because of the Shrine hospitals , not because of lodge/GL charities , not because I am driving down the road with a SWEET Masonic license plate , not because I am wearing a Masonic ring , but because of our Masonic Funeral Service when we are paying respects to other brothers who have passed on to the celestial lodge above .

I have had more comments about that than any other aspect of Freemasonry . And not only from funerals I have attended , but any Masonic funeral . I have had people stop to tell me that their Father's , grandfather's , uncle or friends service was very moving , it has sparked conversations about Freemasonry and how to become a member .

 

[jason]

I've only been to one. It was a nice service, however only one or two people knew their parts. It was very moving still. The family was very grateful.

 

[FF Sparky]

I have yet to witness a Masonic Funeral. So I cant comment....wait I think I just did comment. Im all 'fused now. its to early.

 

[Winter]

Unfortunately, I have presided over several funerals and attended many more and I could not agree more with Ashlar. The Masonic service makes a serious impact on outsiders. It being so alien to anything they have experienced. This is one of the rare times the uninitiated can actually see the emotional bond that a Freemason carries for his Brothers. And in an age when personal relationships rarely go past the "buddy" phase, this intrigues many people.

 

[Ashlar2006]

My wife and mother-in-law told me that the Masonic funeral of her stepfather/husband was one of the most beautiful and moving events they had ever seen . More moving than the preachers words .

Not long ago I stopped in at the hardware store and the young man behind the counter , when seeing my S & C ball cap , commented on the Masonic funeral service of his friend and how wonderful it was . He asked me if we do this for all brothers or just special , "high ranking" Masons . I told him that each and every brother (when their family requests a service) get's one , no matter who he is , from the Grand Master to the youngest , newest EA . This really impressed him .

 

[BukeyeJackson]

I've been a part of one and I had to read from a nicely prepared and stylized paper. The stock and design took away from the fact that I was reading and made it look more formal! I barely new the Bro. but got a bit choked up reading.

 

[Bob Franks]

I have yet to witness a Masonic Funeral. So I cant comment....wait I think I just did comment. Im all 'fused now. its to early.

I'll post my next one to you.
How long does it take to get to eastern NC from Connecticut?

Really, the Masonic Memorial Service very moving and was a deep privilege to confer.
Remember if you take part in one: We are showing the public what Masonry is!!

S&F

 

[FF Sparky]

I'll post my next one to you.
How long does it take to get to eastern NC from Connecticut?

Really, the Masonic Memorial Service very moving and was a deep privilege to confer.
Remember if you take part in one: We are showing the public what Masonry is!!

S&F

I wasnt looking to start crashing funerals...lol. Im sure there will be one here sooner or later. I'm not rushing to see one, and dont wish for a funeral of a Brother soon to see one...

 

[Ashlar2006]

I wasnt looking to start crashing funerals...lol. Im sure there will be one here sooner or later. I'm not rushing to see one, and dont wish for a funeral of a Brother soon to see one...

You would not be crashing a Brothers funeral . I have attended Masonic funeral services of departed members of many lodges in my area that I did not know just to show my respect . I am on mass e-mail lists of many lodges and if I receive an e-mail of a funeral service , I am not busy and the funeral home is within reasonable driving distance , I will go .

 

[Ironhawg]

Just last month our lodge received a request from the family of a deceased MM to perform a Masonic funeral at his memorial service. I was able to attend and this was my first Masonic funeral. I thought the Masonic part of the service was special.
What made it even more special was there was a very elderly gentleman who sat in front of us in the church. He had a walker with a cardboard box attached. He identified himself as a MM and asked if he could stand with us during the service. He then pulled out of the box a very old, very beautiful PM apron. He did indeed stand with us and participate in the service at the age of 96!
We received so many positive comments after the service from the family and friends. We even had a couple of inactive MM contact us about getting re-activated.

 

[Windrider]

When I was first raised, I decided to go for the Master Mason Rookie Award. One of the requirements was to attend a Masonic Funeral. I didn't know the brother who had passed but he was a very popular past master and was referred to as "my brother, my father" by a couple of the men who were raised by him as Master. It was a very moving service and the family was deeply moved. This one was held in the funeral home.

Since receiving the award, several of the newly raised brothers have asked for my help in getting it. I attended another Masonic Funeral with one of them recently. This one was at the grave during the dedication of the headstone of a departed brother who had passed a few months before. Standing in the sun in a dark suit on a 95 degree day was not my idea of a fun time, but we did it anyway. When we opened the lodge, the altar was the opened tailgate of a pickup truck Again, a wonderful service where the family was moved. The new Master Mason I had escorted was as impressed as I was but the turnout was pretty sparse. Beside us, there were only six other brothers there. I guess a hot day in a suit isn't the most conducive to bringing out the Masons.

 

[FF Sparky]

I did a little bit of research, to include a youtube vid or two. But reading Ironhawg and windriders post brought a slight tear to my eye. I have been to Fire Department funerals and felt very proud to be a part of those processions, I'm sure it will be the same for my newly found family. Actually the only 3 funerals I have ever gone to were Fire Department funerals.

 

[Custer148]

I have had the honor of presenting the Masonic funeral oration at several Brothers' funerals. The families are always grateful and the friends are in awe of being in the presence of such a fraternal bond as ours.
It does get harder to do every time, as I am closer to each and every Brother the older I get.

 

[Bob Franks]

I had the honor of delivering the Masonic Memorial Service for the Past Master of a lodge in a nearby town yesterday. It is amazing; it is a humbling experience.

S&F