DUNEDIN ACACIA COMMITTEE PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING A MASONIC FUNERAL SERVICE

RETURN TO LAST PAGE

    PURPOSE

    The purpose of this procedure is to conduct a Masonic funeral service as conducted by the Acacia Committee of Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M. This procedure begins when the Lodge has been requested to conduct a funeral service, be it for a Dunedin Lodge Brother, or another Mason.

    NOTE: Although the Acacia Committee is primarily responsible for conducting the service, all Master Masons in good standing are encouraged to participate provided their cable-tow permits them.

    SETUP

    1. Printed scripts.
    2. White gloves and aprons.
    3. Rods for Deacons and Stewards.
    4. The Great Lights of Masonry.
    5. A sprig of Acacia.
    6. Masonic Widow's pin and certificate (optional).
    7. Sign-in/Assignment Sheet.
    8. Easel.
    9. Flower arrangement (optional).
    10. Masonic Monitor (Blue Book)

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. The Lodge's Worshipful Master and Secretary are advised of the request to perform a service.

      NOTE: As a policy, the Committee will do a service if notified at least two days in advance and if the service is to be held no further north than Klosterman Road, no further south than Sunset Point Road; and no further east than McMullan-Booth Road.

      Details of the planned service are recorded, including:

      A. The name of the departed Brother.

      1. The name and contact information of his next of kin; e.g., widow, sons, daughters.
      2. The name and number of his home Lodge, and Masonic Jurisdiction.
      3. His Masonic History, if available.
      4. Did he leave behind a Masonic apron? Can it be used for the service?
      5. His date of Birth and Death; Age.

      B. The name and address of the location for the Masonic service.

      1. Contact name and telephone number.
      2. Date and time of the Masonic Service.

      C. If clergy is involved, do they have a problem with having a Masonic service performed on their premise? If not, discuss where in the program the Masonic service is to be performed; e.g., first, second, last.

    2. The Lodge Secretary verifies the departed Brother is a member in Good Standing within his Grand Jurisdiction. To do so, the Secretary contacts the Grand Lodge of Florida who will verify the Brother's standing.

      If we cannot verify his Masonic standing, we cannot conduct the service and all pertinent parties are contacted accordingly.

    3. The Chairman of the Acacia Committee is notified of the service and provided with the details. In turn, the Chairman alerts the committee regarding the service.

      If the Chairman cannot garner enough people to perform the ceremony, he is to contact the Secretary, Master, and Funeral Director accordingly.

    4. The Acacia Committee Chairman checks the condition of materials for use in the Masonic service (see Setup section above) and makes arrangements to have it transported to the site of the service.

    5. Participants for the degree gather at the site at the appointed time and date. Unless otherwise instructed by the Acacia Committee Chairman, the dress for the meeting includes:

      A. Dark suit and tie.
      B. White gloves and plain white aprons.

        NOTE: Officer aprons or special aprons are not worn.
        Further, white aprons are worn under top coat which is unbuttoned.

      All participants are to sign the Sign-In/Assignment Sheet and become familiar with the position they are to play.

      The Committee Chairman and participants should familiarize themselves with the room or graveside where the service is to be performed.

    6. Participants form a processional line to enter the room for the service; the order of which is:

        Senior Deacon (with rod)
        Worshipful Master
        Chaplain
        Junior Deacon (with rod)
        Senior Warden (with Apron)
        Junior Warden (with sprig of Acacia)
        Senior Steward (with rod)
        Bearer of the Great Lights
        Junior Steward (with rod)
        All others

    7. The Masonic Service is held accordingly. As part of the presentation, the Worshipful Master presents the Widow's Pin and certificate (optional) to the surviving widow (if living).

    8. The participants return all of the materials used in the degree to the Committee Chairman.

    9. The Committee Chairman writes up the minutes of the services and gives it to the Lodge Secretary for filing.

      The Chairman also returns all other material used in the service to storage.

      NOTE: If the Lodge supplied the Masonic Apron for use in the degree, the Chairman retrieves the apron.

    *   *   *   END   *   *   *