Being prepared for your demise lifts a huge burden off your loved ones.

Photo: Albert Pike's Lodge of Sorrow Announcement, 1891 from the Archives of the Supreme Council, 33°

"When the summons comes to join the innumerable caravan that moves to that mysterious realm where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death," will you have made the preparations necessary to satisfy the laws of the land and to ease the burden of your passing on your family? It is something we should all consider in a timely manner, especially while we are of sound mind and body and can make clear decisions regarding our possessions and last wishes.

Approaching this task from the standpoint of membership in the Fraternity, we must deal with the long-standing tradition not to discuss, in detail, the business and customs of the Fraternity with family members. Because of this outdated custom, many widows and children have no idea who in the Lodge needs to be notified of our passing. Here are a few suggestions that will ease the burden on your family and, at the same time, ease the burden on the Lodge Secretary and its Master.

Include with your important papers, envelopes addressed to the Lodge Secretary and the Secretaries of all the Appendant Bodies in which you have membership. Put a sheet of paper in each envelope with your Masonic history. If you have been a member of more than one Lodge, be sure your list reflects the correct names and locations of all Lodges in which you have held membership in case you have transferred your membership. Include a place for your survivor to write the date of your passing and other such information that might be of interest to the Lodges and/or Appendant Bodies. Attach to the envelopes a sheet of paper with detailed instructions that explain to your next of kin the importance of notifying each Masonic Body of your passing. If you are uncertain what the correct address is, look at the return address on your latest dues notice.

Also, include with these important papers a sheet of paper with instructions on whom to contact to request a Masonic memorial service. The Master of your Lodge is always the appropriate person to contact when requesting a service. It would be a good idea to write out a draft of your obituary so that others will know those things that were important to you in your lifetime. This also insures your Masonic memberships, titles, and honors are presented and spelled accurately. Be sure to include the full name of each Masonic Body as well as the complete title of each office you have held. Also, include specific instructions on disposal of your Masonic ritual books, pins, aprons, and related items.

If you have been a collector of Masonic books, pamphlets and other such items, be sure to suggest proper disposition of these articles. This may be to a Masonic relative who is interested, the Lodge for their library, or a Brother you know who will keep and treasure your books as you did. Alternatively, you may want to donate your books to the Lodge with instructions to sell them and use the money earned for upkeep of the Lodge or for a Lodge charity. Whatever your personal wishes, just make timely plans and leave clear instructions. Nothing is sadder than going to a flea market or yard sale and seeing someone's Masonic jewels or book collection lying in a neglected heap on a dusty table.

Albert Pike, 33° (1809-1891), lying in state in Washington, D.C. Photo: Archives, The Supreme Council, 33°

Now for a look at the worldly side of the issue of death. As in disposition of your Masonic belongings, it should be a priority with every Brother to make final plans. You should contact a funeral director and ask him or her for assistance in preplanning your funeral and burial. Your funeral director can assist you in developing a pre-need plan. This plan can be purchased and paid for at any time. The funeral director will help to select your casket, service, vault, grave plot, grave marker, and make suggestions on the type of service and what could be included in the service such as visitation arrangements, choice of minister and casket bearers, songs, and Masonic emblem(s) on the service folder. The funeral director should be instructed to remind the family that it is customary that the Masonic apron remains in the casket.

The funeral director will counsel you on the financial aspects of your service and will help you to select items and services within your financial range. He will suggest options for paying for your pre-need arrangements. This can include CDs, insurance policies, etc. An advantage of pre-paying is that the cost can be frozen to protect against inflation and save your family any increased cost when the service is needed.

The funeral director can provide you with a book that guides you in providing the information needed. You should fill this book out carefully and completely. Be sure to include a copy of your obituary and a copy of the list of Masonic Bodies you belong to, as suggested above. If you are a veteran, please be sure to include pertinent information related to your service record. This would include branch of service, rank held, medals awarded, date of entry, date of exit, service serial number, and a copy of your discharge papers.

Of course, you should visit your attorney and have him draw up a last will and testament. This will insure you your wishes are legal and binding and will leave no doubt as to what your wishes are for the disposition of your property. Such legal papers lift a big burden from the shoulders of your survivors during a very traumatic time.

Take these steps now. As the Masonic memorial service says, we do not know when that time will come. Be prepared and be considerate of your loved ones and your Brothers. Most of all, be prepared yourself, first in your heart and second in your affairs.

Zelwin B. "Zel" Eaton is Editor of The Missouri Freemason and a Fraternal Correspondent, Grand Lodge of Missouri. He is a Past Master of Adair Lodge No. 366, Kirksville, Missouri, and served three terms as D.D.G.M. in the old 2nd district of Missouri. He served on the Grand Lodge Committee for Masonic Education and as Master of the Missouri Lodge of Research. A member in the Southern California Lodge of Research and the Correspondence Circle of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, he is a Life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society. Brother Eaton served as Master of the Council of Kadosh, Scottish Rite Valley of Columbia, and is a member of the York Rite Bodies. He is a member of the Heart of Missouri York Rite College, Red Cross of Constantine, Missouri College Societas Rosicruciana, and is member Number 412 Masonic Brotherhood of the Blue Forget-Me-Not.

Masonic Memorial Service

Other Lodges, some veterans' organization, and various societies, as well as Freemasonry, have memorial services, but this note from the Masonic Service Association of North America is primarily concerned with Masonic memorial services. To start, it may be well to point out that Freemasonry is not a religion, though it is religious. That is, the Fraternity does not believe itself to be an instrument of God for the purpose of reconciling men to Himself, but teaches that men do need such reconciliation and should seek it through loyal involvement with the religious faith of their preference. The Lodge has no "plan of salvation" or way of atonement to offer its members. Rather, it teaches the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. The participation of the Masonic Institution in a funeral service is an expression of its fraternal affection for the deceased and for his family. It is not the exercise of a priestly ministry representing God. No one is ever obligated to have a Masonic funeral. It is not a requirement of the Fraternity that a member have his memorial service conducted, either in whole or in part, by the Masonic Order. Any member who was in good standing with the Fraternity at the time of his death may have a Masonic funeral if he requested it or if his family so requests. Any participation in the service, other than the attendance of individual Lodge members as a part of the general congregation, is always by request to the Fraternity.

Masonic Service Association of North America