MUSIC

MASTER - (Rises, raps***) All rise.

PRAYER

CHAPLAIN - (Kneeling at West side of Altar) Our Father Who art in heaven, it hath pleased Thee to take from among us him (those) who was (were) our brother (brethren). Let time, as it heals the wounds thus inflicted upon our heart and on the hearts of those who were near and dear to them, not erase the salutary lessons engraved there, but let those lessons, always continuing distinct and legible, make them wiser and better, and whatever distress or trouble may hereafter come upon us, may we ever be consoled by the reflection that Thy wisdom and Thy love are equally infinite, and that our sorrows are not the visitations of Thy wrath, but the result of the great law of harmony by which everything is being conducted to a good and perfect issue in the fullness of Thy time. Let the loss of our brother (brethren) increase our affection for those who are yet spared to us, and make us more punctual in the performance of the duties that Friendship, Love and Honor demand. Be with us now and sanctify the solemnities of this occasion to our hearts, that we may serve Thee in spirit and understanding. And to Thy name shall be ascribed the praise forever. Amen.

BRETHREN - So mote it be. (Master seats Lodge)

MUSIC

Funeral March

Procession around the Catafalque

See special instructions

MASTER - (Rises, raps***)

Officers rise and form procession: SS - JS SW - JW SD - Master - JD

move once around the catafalque to a slow and solemn music.

On arriving at the East, the procession halts. Junior Warden advances to the catafalque and places upon it the bunch of white flowers, and says:

JUNIOR WARDEN - In memory of our departed brother (brethren) I deposit these white flowers, emblematical of that pure life to which he (they) had (have) been called, and reminding us that as these children of an hour will drop and fade away, so too, we shall soon follow those who have gone before us, and inciting us so to fill the brief span of our existence that we may leave to our survivors a sweet savor of remembrance.

Junior Warden then returns to his place, and the procession is again formed, and moves as before. On arriving at the East, the Senior Warden advances to the catafalque and places upon it a wreath of white flowers, and says:

SENIOR WARDEN - As the sun is in the West, to close the day and herald the approach of night, so, one by one we lie down until time when the heavens shall pass away as a scroll, and man, standing in the presence of the infinite, shall realize the true end of his pilgrimage here below. Let these flowers be to us the symbol of remembrance of all the virtues of our brethren who have preceded us to the silent land, the token of that fraternal alliance which binds us while on earth, and which we hope will finally unite us in heaven.

Senior Warden returns to his place and the procession is again formed, moves as before. Arriving at the East, the Master advances and places upon the urn a wreath of evergreen, and says:

MASTER - It is appointed unto all men once to die; and after death cometh the resurrection. The dust shall return to the earth, and the spirit unto God who gave it. In the grave all men are equal; the good deeds, the lofty thoughts, the heroic sacrifices alone survive and bear fruit in the lives of those who strive to emulate them.

While, therefore, nature will have its way, and our tears will fall upon the graves of our brethren, let us be reminded by the evergreen symbol, of our faith in immortal life, that the dead are but sleeping, and be comforted by the reflection that their memories shall not be forgotten. And so, trusting in the infinite love and tender mercy of Him without whose knowledge not even a sparrow falls, let us prepare to meet them where there is no parting, and where, with them, we shall enjoy eternal rest. (Returns to his place)

MUSIC

After the music, Master returns to his station and sits down. Officers repair to their respective stations and places after Master sits down, Deacons and Stewards return rods to the stand, but remain standing. Master seats them.

MASTER - (Raps***) Bro. Marshal, conduct the Chaplain to the Altar.

Marshal takes baton and goes to Chaplain by way of West of Altar.

Marshal bows to him. He takes left arm of Chaplain and conducts him to the West of the Altar. Marshal takes one step to left and one step back.

CHAPLAIN - (Standing in front of Altar, reads the following):

But some man will say, "How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body."

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on immortality, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

As the Chaplain pronounces the concluding words, "O grave, where is thy victory?" the lights in the hall will be raised to brilliancy, the four brethren seated around the catafalque will relight their respective tapers.

The Chaplain is reconducted to his place. Marshal returns to his place by way of West of Altar. Master seats Lodge.