Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online LinkedIn. This link will open in a new window. Lord, as we lift up in prayer those that are having to come to terms with the sudden and violent death of a loved one we pray that You would use this tragedy to be the thing that starts to draw each suffering soul into the tender arms of their Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, in Whose name we pray. In your role as the new Adam, you went down among the dead to release all the just there since the beginning; grant that all who are dead in sin may hear your voice and rise to new life. What Is the Meaning of Lily of the Valley? Lord, we thank you for the food and drink that we have received,also for the Good Companionship tonight and throughout our season, grant that we may all meet again to witness the installation of the Master Elect. May Christ Who was crucified for you bring you freedom and peace. Among strangers, we recognize brothers. they have but passed Beyond the mists that blind us here Into the new and larger life Of that serener sphere." 6. welcome them into paradise, Help us see You in all Your glory and compassion so we are blessed with the understanding of Your will. Like many lodges, our lodge has a Ladies Night. Yellow PagesTM, Walking Fingers & DesignTM, YP.caTM, Find. Alfred Lord Tennysons Crossing the Bar could offer a great option. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. May he forgive all your sins and set you among those he has chosen. Locate the burial place of the deceased Brother (record on index card - Attach. May you see your Redeemer face to face and enjoy the sight of God forever. And remind us Lord, when we go hence, That Masonic jewel - benevolence. It is one of our few public ceremonies. Amen, O God, we thank You bringing us together this evening. Let us always remember You both at labour and at leisure as we meet together to seek light in this coming season of darkness. Give us the strength to surpass this situation. No one dies without Your say-so and thus, we rejoice over this triumph and we pray You be with our deceased brother/sister. Let us give thanks for the food and drink we laid before us and for the Good Companionship we enjoy each month, but most of all we ask that the Great Architect continue to help us to practice outside the Lodge those virtues we have been taught in it. This poem celebrates a mason's life of servitude. Amen, O God, we thank You that we are able to be here tonight: that You have given us the health and the means to be together as brothers. Grant us the building of happy memories together, and grant that we might have some small effect for good in an increasingly troubled world. Amen. Remember, if you don't see the Ashlar "A", it's not authentic. Plain and simple. Planning a memorial service for a loved one deserves great thought and consideration. May you return to the One Who formed you from the dust of this earth. Great Artificer of the Universe, Who has provided us with refreshment from Thy bounty, bless, we beseech Thee, with Thy gracious favour, our continued humble efforts to Thy service. On this Thanksgiving Day, we thank you for this food, and for this company of our brothers. Poet Robert Burns says that he'd rather have no other badges of honor other than the apron of a Freemason. We ask you to guide the deceaseds family and friends. I find this to be a special time when Masonic brothers can convey their sympathy to the fam- . For each new morning with its light,For rest and shelter of the night,For health and food, for love and friends,For everything Thy goodness sends. Pour down Thy blessings upon the family of our Adelphoi. May Christ, the Good Shepherd, give you a place within His flock. May we who survive him be more strongly bound in the ties of friendship and union. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Choose music that would have been meaningful to your loved one. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. There are lots of examples of how to do this throughout the booklet. have compassion on the children of thy creation, administer them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an everlasting salvation. When the earths firm walls are riven,Brother, may we meet in heaven!, The poetically written freemason's prayer deserves a spot on our list. Our Father, which art in Heaven, whose wisdom and goodness manifest themselves in all the works of creation, with reverence we invoke Thy blessing upon Thy children here assembled. See Also:10 Inspiring Songs To Help With Grief. Prayer For The Death Of A Brother Heavenly Father we know and believe that our times are in Your hands, but Lord it's so often such a shock to us when a dear loved one meets with a sudden or unexpected death through an accident or perhaps due to some unforeseen tragedy, which takes the life of someone they loved long before it would be expected. May Christ, the true Shepherd, embrace you as one of his flock. On this cold night, bless this food and this company, and keep us ever mindful of those in need. 617 Masonic Blvd, Jefferson, WI 53549, USA, JEFFERSON COUNTY LODGE #9 FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS, The Graveside Prayer of the Master Mason Degree. Bless, O God, this food and this company. Cookie Notice Amen, Let us think quietly for a moment of those men and woman who have offered, and offer now their very lives for those principles of Good which we all hold so dear. Amen. Amen, Help us to be good men, Almighty God, and to use the many gifts You bestow upon us, such as this food and this fellowship, to Your use and glory. The prayer may also include the reciting of Psalm 23 from the Bible, which is a standard for many non-Masonic funerals as well. Prayer For The Death Of A Brother May Christ, the Son of God, Who died for you take you into His kingdom. Lord, those who die still live in Your presence, their lives change but do not end. Father, we rest knowing that your faithful servant is rejoicing in your kingdom. A poem read at the funeral of a Brother | Masonic Forum of Light Bless this assembly of Brothers, grant that we may be thankful for how much we have, and make us ever mindful of those who have nothing. deliver them now from every evil While there is so much beauty to be found all throughout our Masonic ritual, there is no place where it is more prevalent than in the Masonic Funeral Service. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. pour down Thy blessings upon us, and strengthen our solemn engagements with the ties of sincere affection! Amen, O Great Architect, grant the blessing of light to the officers of this lodge, both old and new, to its members, and to all those who visit it.Bring us harmony both at labour and at refreshment in the year ahead.Bless this food we enjoy tonight, and keep us ever mindful of our lesson at the NE angle of the Lodge. Staff, 15. You are the God of all comfort Who comforts us in time of need and we pray that for those that are facing such a difficult trial today. Amen, In the presence of The Great Architect, let us be grateful for this food, and more especially for the brotherhood that brings us together to enjoy it. A grace can be especially written for a special occasion in the lodge, such asan outdoor lodge, or a joint meeting. Bring us harmony both at labour and at refreshment, bless this food we enjoy tonight, and keep us ever mindful of those who need our help. Keep us ever mindful of the brotherhood we share, that we might become better members of our society. author of all good and giver of all mercy! For though we are a society of men, we would be so very much less without the women in our lives, and we thank You for such a wonderful gift. Privacy Policy. Bless, too, this food; and make us ever mindful of the lesson of charity we learned at the rough ashlar. We pray oh Lord, that everlasting life be given unto him or her. Masonic Prayers: Samples - The Masonic Trowel Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee; thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; turn from him that he may rest, till he shall accomplish his day. All Rights Reserved. The "graveside prayer" used in the Master Mason Degree of Masonry would have been near universally known in the English-speaking world at the time it was incorporated into that Degree, it bearing a remarkable resemblance to a section of the Book of Common Prayer (BPC), a prayer book in universal use in the Church of England. Be the Mason who takes his obligations seriously. Guide us, Great God, in learning to truly live lives of purification, illumination, and unification. We also thank You for this food, and for the warmth of this gathering. Now, seeing as he/she is gone, I pray that he/she finds everlasting life and eternal happiness in Your powerful embrace. Bless us O Lord and these Your gifts, which we are about to receive of Your kindness, and keep us mindful of those in want. Your family has 500 hours of work to do after you die. welcome them into paradise, Prayer For Our Dearly Departed Amen, May God give us fond memories of those who cannot be with us today, grant us stillness in the midst of turmoil, and peace during our lonely moments. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. We exalt Your name for the good life he/she lived. O Thou who kindly dost provideFor every creatures want!We bless Thee, God of nature wide,For all Thy goodness lent;And, if it please Thee, Heavenly Guide,May never worse be sent;But whether granted, or denied,Lord, bless us with content! They are not automatically conferred. So mote it be. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. And with a strong heart be able to go on with their daily lives eventually. We are speaking to you now, O Lord, At the end of festive board, With humble thanks for such a spread, And now before we go home to bed, Let us with all reverence say, Thank you God for a smashing day. PDF Masonic Funeral Ritual Prayer of Release for Masons and Their Descendants To be a mason is to partake in the social and the spiritual betterment of present day society, in hopes that such values will carry over to future generations. On this cold night, bless this food and this company, and keep us ever mindful of those in need. It's an ominous drawing called "Time and the Virgin" depicting an old man holding a scythe, much like the grim reaper, behind a young female who is weeping over an open book and broken column. God bless our table, and God bless us all. Ask others to contribute as you gather stories. May we live beautifully from this day forward and use us, to give solace to others who may experience similar times of great loss and devastation. The Masonic Master will read from the Sacred Scroll of the Masons to pay tribute to the departed. We thank you and magnify your name for loving them so much that you saw it fit to take them back home where we truly belong. Grand Secretary In celebration of its 150thanniversary, The Masonic Temple/Library and Museum of Pennsylvania will be open to the public for free guided tours the first Sunday of April, May & June. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. In it, the speaker vows to uphold all the principles that Freemasonry describes, such as truth and love and justice, with morality and trust., Robert Burns, one of Scotlands most famous poets, was a member of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Scotland. Amen, Brethren, as we enter Winter, the season of darkness and cold, let us givethanks to God for the warmth we share this evening: warmth that keeps the cold away, and warmth in the fellowship we feel. Amen, More especially, we thank You both for this food, and for the fellowship of the evening. Before we ask God's blessing on our food, and on our company, let us take a moment to remember our recently departed Brothers, V. W. Bro. By dying You opened the gates of life for those who believe in You; do not let Your brother/sister be parted from You, but by Your glorious power give him/her light, joy, and peace in heaven where You live for ever and ever. They will also focus on the white lambskin leather apron -- the badge of the Mason -- which denotes a pure soul. May you be held by the God of compassion as you remember your loved ones today. Whether you need to fix, build, create or learn, eHow gives you practical solutions to the problems life throws at you. Amen, Through You, O God, we have much; keep us ever mindful of those who have little. The brothers in this poem promise to meet their deceased friend in heaven. Lord God, Great Architect of the Universe, who has so inspired the ancient members of our Craft that in the bond of brotherhood they met each others needs and first of all men came together in the hidden mysteries handed down to us, give us, we beseech Thee, grateful hearts, that in joyful service we may bring relief to the unfortunate, and in perfect loyalty both preserve our trust and leave behind us an increased inheritance. This short poem asks the reader to think about his legacy. In your hands, O Lord, We thank You for this nights work, and we thank You for this food and fellowship. The Bridge Builder by Will Allen Dromgoole. In company with Christ, Who died and now lives, may they rejoice in Your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away. Brethren, on behalf of us all, I offer this brief Grace written by an anonymous English Mason:Bless us O Lord and these Your gifts, which we are about to receive of Your kindness, and keep us mindful of those in want. where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, This link will open in a new window. God, our Father, in a world where many are lonely, we thank You forfriendship.In a world where many are despairing, we thank You for hope.In a world that many find meaningless, we thank You for faith.In a world where many are hungry, we thank You for this food. A dear loved one has been taken from us, so suddenly and so unexpectedly. Keep us safe, healthy and happy in this troubled world.Thank you for the blessings of this Brotherhood and the evening we are about to enjoy.Keep our minds clear, our bodies fit and our devotions pure.Amen. Accept. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. If you must write the eulogy, think about the essence of the individual. O Lord, your sorrowing Mother stood by your cross; help us in our sorrows to share your sufferings. This poem can give tribute to the acts of service the deceased performed in the course of his life. INTRODUCTION This booklet of prayers has been especially prepared for the use of the Lodge Chaplains of the Wisconsin Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. The difference between history & historiography. Through their faith in you, may they accept your will. Mercy Prayer. Bless our Grand Lodge and its officers who work untiringly on our behalf. We thank Thee, Father, for the happy fellowship of our Fraternity, and for all Thy bounties spread before us. Grant that through these blessings we may be strengthened and refreshed for Thy service. May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints welcome you now that you have gone forth from this life. Amen. Each Masonic member comes to show his respect to the departed, offer support to the departed's family and to attend the funeral. We thank you, too, for the work and energy that our Grand Master and his officers devote to the care and improvement of our brotherhood, and through those efforts, to the betterment of the world as a whole.Here, in the midst of our own plenty, O God, we would also ask You to assist those who have little or nothing, and to keep us ever mindful of Your children in distress. Strengthen us in the days to come, and help us always to choose the path of goodness provided by our Masonic work. Understanding Masonic funerals | Smart Tips - YellowPages.ca The speaker says, There followed after me to-dayA youth whose feet must pass this way.This chasm that has been as naught to meTo that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!. with your Son and the Holy Spirit May the fellowship of this Festive Board pervade our lives, and may the food we eat together in harmony bind us in that fellowship. Lord we bless Thy Holy Name and thank Thee for all Thy Gifts, especially the Gift of Friendship. deliver them now from every evil Amen. In memory of loved ones dear, kindle their flame to shine in the dark and light the path ahead. What Masons Do at Their Time of Death | eHow UK A Masonic funeral is a service provided to three levels of brotherhood in a Mason Lodge. It is not a Masonic poem but it had a moving effect on me and I feel contains points upon we should all ponder. We remember You as you return the light after our long season of darkness.More especially, we thank You both for this food, and for the fellowship of the evening. Great Architect be praised, My belly's been raised,An inch above the table And I'll be damned,If I'm not crammed, As full as I am able. As much as you can, release your grief and give it up to the powers that be so you can face every brand new day. of an actual attorney. These graces are intended for those occasions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Here, in the midst of our own plenty, O God, we would also ask You to assist those who have little or nothing, and to keep us ever mindful of Your children in distress. The sudden demise of our beloved relative has left us in shock and pain. May the blessing of heaven rest upon us and all regular masons. This lengthy poem describes how even in the natural world, things that die really just change form. They should be invited to the Lodge for family nights. Lord, have mercy on those who mourn who feel numb and crushed and are filled with the pain of grief, whose strength has given up You know all our sighing and longings: be near to us and teach us to fix our hope on you through Jesus Christ our Lord. While most funeral poems speak about the deceaseds life, some verses may comfort those in mourning. Soft and safe be the earthly bed of our brother; bright and glorious be his rising from it by Unknown, seems to have no title, the unknown poet created a poem popular for Masonic funeral services. We pray that with his unexpected death, his soul may find peace that he has lived a good life and did his best serving his family, workplace and loved ones while he was on earth. Before we begin our meal, let us pause a moment and remember in our hearts and prayers RW Bro. The Graveside Prayer of the Master Mason Degree - live Amen. O Lord, your sorrowing Mother stood by your cross; help us in our sorrows to share your sufferings. Masonic funerals are unique because of their attention to ritual, their focus, and their exclusive nature. Here are two I wrote, and the second one is just a shorter version of the first. Masonic Funeral Services and What Sets Them Apart Prayers: Bread of Life Approach God, our hope, As we gather now to worship you, fill us with anticipation and prepare us by your Spirit. May the fellowship of this Festive Board pervade our lives, and may the food we eat together in harmony bind us in that fellowship. We thank You, O God, for giving us companionship when so many are lonely; and for food when so many of Your children are hungry. I may be jaded on the subject, being Anglican, but the Book of Common Prayer is not only a masterful religious piece by not overtly alienating one particular religious faction or another at a time of great religious unrest, it is also a work of prose originating phrases still in common English phraseology to this day. May you return to the One Who formed you from the dust of this earth. Let us find in your Son comfort in our sadness, certainty in our doubt, and courage to live through this hour. We will beat any competitors price by 5%. Amen, Bless, too, both its members, and all those come as visitors; and grant us harmony both at labour and at refreshment. Blessing to God, forever blest.To God the master of the feast,Who hath for us a table spread,and with his daily bounties fe(e)d;May He with all his gifts impart,the crown of all a thankful heart. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Modern readers and hearers should give more thought about reading it through the lens of the Age of Enlightenment in England than a modern, overtly sectarian, or specific creedal lens. Bless this food to our use that we might always remember those who do without. Send card, preferably a handwritten note, each year. Father, we bring before You those that have had the devastating experience of having someone close to them that they know and love, suffer a sudden, violent and needless death. but fullness of peace and joy Twitter. Visit yourlodgewebsite.com, Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. We thank you for the answered prayer and in Jesus name, Amen. The graces in this section should be suitable for just about any occasion. May He forgive your sins and keep you among His people. Amen. And most importantly, they should be cared for. The Joy of Seeing Them Again Prayer Heavenly Father, we are going through a very rough time as a family. Let us also remember those who love him, and their distress at his illness.Bless this food, Almighty Father, that as it gives us nourishment for the body, so we might realize the nourishment for our minds and hearts that Your Word provides. Name, who is in continuing care, and who recently lost his son; and RWBro. Relief for all in need we pray, Thy Truth, our Aid from day to day. Loss is hard. Masonic Dinner Graces and Prayers - MasonicShop.com What sets Masonic funerals apart are the rituals, the focus, and inclusion. We thank You for the work we have done, and for the food and fellowship we now share. Farewell My Brother - Thoughts on Masonic Funerals O God, Who has commanded us to honor our father and mother, have compassion in Thy mercy, on the souls of my father and mother; forgive them their sins, and grant that I may see them in the joy of eternal brightness. This monument may include a statue of the Mason's likeness, or just a column with Masonic etching over it. Relief for all in need we pray,Thy Truth, our Aid from day to day. God help us all to pass this way, With love fraternal on this day, And remind us too of those in need, While we sit and drink and feed. Amen.. For food to eat and those who prepare it,For health to enjoy it and friends to share it,May the Great Architect of the Universe be blessed and praised. and all Your saints, The Masters Apron by Brother Robert Burns, Other Tips for Planning a Loved Ones Funeral. Grant us the strength to apply what we know of goodness to a world that so frequently forgets it. Forgive me if it sounded like I was making implications about your faith; no implications were intended. Was the membership of a deceased Mason more to him than wearing a pin or paying dues? Bless us here tonight, and bless us as we return to our daily lives. As we gather round the social board for the last meeting of this season, let us give thanks for the food, drink and Good Companionship we have enjoyed. So mote it be. Your Brothers widow and children are part of your family. The best grace is one you would compose yourself that fits the occasion for which you need it. Someone questions him as to why he would create such a bridge after crossing the divide. Looking for a popular funeral poem for those who served in the Navy or enjoyed life on the water? O God, we thank You for blessing us with this happy gathering this evening. Shopping Cart. Visit our bookstore for more information. So, we pray You uplift our heart and soul so that we may cast away our sorrows oh Lord. They have fought so that we do not have to, and it is right and proper that we never forget them.O God, be with us as we sit together to share the abundance of food and friendship You have given us. Grant them peace, and healing through happy memories of their recently departed mother and grandmother.And help us to be good men, Almighty God, and to use the many gifts You bestow upon us, such as this food and this fellowship, to Your use and glory. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Each Mason will speak about the symbols of Masonry. Phoenix Masonry: How to Conduct a Masonic Funeral, Freemasons: Fundamentals of Masonic Funeral Rites. Both the similarities and differences are striking. The chaplain speaks about how a Mason builds his character the same way he builds a house, and how once a person dies his soul is placed in the temple of heaven, built by God, whom the Masons call "The Grand Architect of the Universe.". The Square by Brother R.J. McLaughlin, 22. Wood lives in Toronto, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts in English literature at York University. Our heavenly father, we pray that You will find mercy on the soul of our loved one. Thanks! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen. May a fresh and renewing breeze flow into the cracks of their hearts and mend their anguish.