My grandfather died last week. At the service three elderly gentlemen spoke. They were Masons. They spoke for about 10 minutes non stop. It was like a speech and the message was very impressive. All had on a white *apron* type of thing. When they finished they put the cloth on grandpa in the casket. My question is this. Was what they were saying part of the Masons *speeches*? sorry I couldn't think of the word I was looking for. If so does anyone have a copy of the Mason eulogy?

I had no idea he was a Mason. They said what *rank*??? he achieved over many years. I forget what it was though.

Thanks!

Best thing to do would be contact the lodge your grandfather was part of. I believe there are a number of different service pieces used by masons and this would be the only way to be sure getting the one used.

When my grandfather passed...

A very similar (I'm guessing, near identical) thing happened. He was a Shriner (that much I know) but besides that, I never felt it appropriate to ask my grandmother questions on the topic. (Such as any of his other dealings in Masonry)


Funny thing, I never questioned any of it until lately.

I know what you mean. I look at these boards and usually just pass over the NWO and secret societies sections. But I have been thinking about it ever since the funeral. They really had a lot of positive ideals and if it was a speech they had it memorized to the t.

my grandad was a mason and so is my father...
my grandad was a treasury manson in the bructon lodge
and my father is in the highest ranking lodge,for the life of me i can not remember the name but i know it has the Duke of Edinborough in it. when my grandfather died the funeral parler was full on masons. Masons are a secret meeting of men and what goes on inside is there thing and the only way you can join is if you are invited. they question your loyalty and only if you pass the first test then can you go on to be a higher rank. my grandfather was a Grand Master of his lodge and i was just wondering i know its a personal question but my grandfather had two triangles overlaping each other on his coffin i was wondering if your had one to? my father said it was a mosonary thing but i really want to know what it stands for. let me know what you think thanks xxmintyxx

You can phone the Lodge where these guys are members and probably get a written copy of the speech if you ask for it.
This was probably nothing to do with Freemasonry though. Just a couple of good friends of your Grandfather's making their own personal goodbyes.

No symbols on his casket. He did have a square and compass pin on though now that I think about it. It was a military burial so maybe thats why there were no symbols on the casket other than the Flag.

when masons take about ranks that means his grandad was in the masons... that is the freemasonary. i knoww because they spoke in my grandads funeral. xxmintyxx

Originally posted by Leveller
This was probably nothing to do with Freemasonry though. Just a couple of good friends of your Grandfather's making their own personal goodbyes.

I would believe that except he had not lived in Cambridge Illinois for eons. They also spoke of his service and work with the Masons. Thennnn they spoke of Masonry, a kind of how it works thing, what happens when a Mason dies etc....

minty

it sounds like you are in the UK , as am I.

The Duke of Kent is the Grand Master of The United Grand Lodge of England. To my knowledge the Duke of Edinburgh is not in a Masonic Lodge.

However it is more common to see a masonic Funeral in the States than it is in the UK. There is more of a tendency to have Masonic Funerals in Scotland.


It is only the request of the deceased person, and with the permission of the Family. It can not be ordered up by anyone else.

j_a_p, the Ceremonial (quite different from Ritual Work) Funeral service is for all, and not subject to the "secrecy" that the usual Masonic Ritual is. The typical (and quite subjective as you can imagine) service is a catechism between the "Worshipful Master" and the "Chaplain", with the Brethren participating. In my Lodge always try to impart some personal notes or passages, in order to make the ceremony more unique and individual. Since this is considered "Monitorial" in nature, there should be no problem in acquiring the text from the Lodge that performed the ceremony (it is not uncommon for a big city to have a "Lodge of Sorrows" or "Black Lodge", a group dedicated to providing these services (usually a group of active Past Masters that have familiarity with the service), but his Lodge will be able to direct you to the appropriate person if they did not do it themselves.

Hope this helps.

Originally posted by just_a_pilot
. My question is this. Was what they were saying part of the Masons *speeches*? sorry I couldn't think of the word I was looking for. If so does anyone have a copy of the Mason eulogy?

All Masons may be interred with Masonic honors if they wish, but the actual Funeral Rite differs from place to place. Usually, it begins with the Worshipful Master addressing the mourners something like this:

"From time immemorial it has been the custom of Free Masons, at the request of a deceased Brother or his family, to accompany his remains to the place of interment, and there deposit it with the formalities of our Fraternity. In conformance with this ancient custom, we have here assembled in the character of Free Masons in order to offer up to our deceased Brother, before the world, the last tribute of our affections."

At this time, the Chaplain will offer prayer, and read several comforting verses from the Bible. Then, the Brother's Apron is presented and explained by the Master, and deposited on the coffin. The Sprig of Acacia is then also presented and explained. Finally, a closing benediction is given, and the Lodge escorts the presiding minister and family from the graveside.

Originally posted by Masonic Light


"From time immemorial it has been the custom of Free Masons, at the request of a deceased Brother or his family, to accompany his remains to the place of interment, and there deposit it with the formalities of our Fraternity. In conformance with this ancient custom, we have here assembled in the character of Free Masons in order to offer up to our deceased Brother, before the world, the last tribute of our affections."

At this time, the Chaplain will offer prayer, and read several comforting verses from the Bible. Then, the Brother's Apron is presented and explained by the Master, and deposited on the coffin. The Sprig of Acacia is then also presented and explained. Finally, a closing benediction is given, and the Lodge escorts the presiding minister and family from the graveside.

That brings back memories none too pleasant. I appreciate you posting that, but still... The day I last heard that, was not a good day.

yer im from britain, and i know it is the Duke of Endingbourgh but i could be wrong.......my Grandads Brother and my Grandads wife said it was ok for the masons 2 speak. whoever had the picture of the compus and somebook.... so what does it mean? i know its something to do with the respect and loyalty of the person but i dont have a wide understanding of the meaning. so if you could post back a reply dat would be great xxmintyxx


[edit on 30-11-2004 by minty]

Originally posted by Masonic Light

Originally posted by just_a_pilot
. My question is this. Was what they were saying part of the Masons *speeches*? sorry I couldn't think of the word I was looking for. If so does anyone have a copy of the Mason eulogy?

All Masons may be interred with Masonic honors if they wish, but the actual Funeral Rite differs from place to place. Usually, it begins with the Worshipful Master addressing the mourners something like this:

"From time immemorial it has been the custom of Free Masons, at the request of a deceased Brother or his family, to accompany his remains to the place of interment, and there deposit it with the formalities of our Fraternity. In conformance with this ancient custom, we have here assembled in the character of Free Masons in order to offer up to our deceased Brother, before the world, the last tribute of our affections."

At this time, the Chaplain will offer prayer, and read several comforting verses from the Bible. Then, the Brother's Apron is presented and explained by the Master, and deposited on the coffin. The Sprig of Acacia is then also presented and explained. Finally, a closing benediction is given, and the Lodge escorts the presiding minister and family from the graveside.

That sounds like the start of it! Very much so indeed. I was absolutly floored. I never even thought about Masons. Now I will.

[edit on 11/30/2004 by just_a_pilot]