Life – and Death – after Harold

The roll of workmen had been called and one will remember for a much longer time how a group of brother Mason had not answered to his name. dignified looking men came and bowed in front of their The family had asked for a Masonic Service but the grandfather’s casket and said things that they did not funeral home could not schedule an early date. Then, understand, but must have been all good, because as the family and friends were settling for an uneasy their parents seemed so impressed and so appreciawait, the word came that there had been a cancellative. They will come to know that perhaps the whole tion. Cancellation? Somebody had decided not to die; ceremony was for them, and not so much for the not just yet? Anyway, there was an opening and the departed loved one; he had just facilitated that. service had to be held right away. But who was going I got carried away! I did not intend for this to sound to take charge on such a short notice? The answer like a report. I just wanted to remind everybody how was clear to everyone, right away. It had to be Harold. important all this is. Perhaps it is not a subject any of It almost always is. The word was put out to the us cares to entertain; nonetheless, it is an inescapable brethren to be there! reality that deserves our attention. I also wanted to Harold was there before everyone else, as he always ask: what will happen after Harold is gone? Who else is. He had brought all that was needed, as he always will be there to lead the way at the drop of a hat? Don’t does. He never takes chances. He has been burned get me wrong. I pray and trust that Harold will live for too many times to rely on others. a long, long time to come. But, It turned out to be a rainy night Our last act of brotherly “what man is he that liveth and with strong winds, as for some shall not see death? No one reason it often is, on occasions such as this. He lined up all who love toward our brother knoweth the hour. All expect it. None escape it.” So who is had managed to get there on time. Brother Masons, lodge offioccurs when we celebrate going to take care of this very important obligation? cers, Grand Lodge officers, and yes, even the Grand Master. his life with a Masonic He has done it for a long time, and so many times and so well, It was a solemn ceremony; a job well done as it is always with Funeral Service. that all of us have come to believe that he is going to be Harold. Family and friends were there for ever and ever to do the all so impressed and seemed very grateful. Harold, by job. We wish! But let me tell you, apart from performway of offering condolences to the family and friends, ing these services, he is out there, as part of the told them that the brethren had come to pay their last agenda for the Lodges of Instruction, trying to teach respects to the departed brother; he told them that us all how to do the job and do it well. It is for each even the Grand Master was there. You should have and every Worshipful Master to schedule at least one been there and seen the members of the deceased exemplification or rehearsal of the Masonic Funeral brother’s family, heads held high, looking at each other Service in his lodge and invite others to attend. Every with pride and satisfaction. Soon there were the lodge should maintain a cadre of brothers who can farewells with warm handshakes and hugs all around. perform the funeral service, preferably from memory, Children, conscious of the way their parents and eldand according to the wishes of the deceased brother ers were acting, realized that something significant or his family. was happening. Perhaps they had never seen so Let me tell you why! Let me tell you a bit about the many men in dark suits, with white aprons and white Masonic Funeral Service and what it really means. gloves, some with silver or gold chains around their Our last act of brotherly love toward our brother necks. They were asking questions. They will continue occurs when we celebrate his life with a Masonic with their questions for a long time to come and they Funeral Service. A request from a brother or his fam

Life -and Death- after Harold...

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ily for a Masonic funeral must be honored without hesitation. The ceremony must always be conducted with dignity and decorum. The final farewell to a brother Mason remains the last public honor a lodge can perform for him. This requires us to be prepared to perform the Masonic Funeral Service to the best of our ability. Our departed brother deserves the respect that a well conducted service reflects. This duty must be fulfilled in a way that will leave a lasting impression of our fraternal love and devotion with those attending the service, more especially the family and friends of the deceased.

It is also incumbent upon all of us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth. By that I mean planning for the day when we depart for the Celestial Lodge. As a Mason, in this Grand Jurisdiction, you are entitled to a Masonic Funeral Service, if you so desire, and all too often we do not make this known to our loved ones. You can certainly help your next of kin if you make some suggestions, in writing, about your final arrangements. They have probably never seen the Masonic Funeral Service, so you should let them know that your brothers would be grateful for the opportunity to say farewell to you and offer comfort to your survivors, via this beautiful ritual. We Masons affirm that the immortality of the soul is a gift of God. But death is still difficult for us because it means separation from the brothers, family members, and close friends. Then let us not neglect our widows and orphans and all those who morn. Let us remember that we are loved by God; let us put our trust in Him. Let us take some time and find ways to reach out and comfort the widows of the brothers we knew and loved. ■ ~Mansour Hatefi, P.G.M.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Special Olympics - D.C. Summer Games Tuesday, May 22, 2007

01:30 PM – 03:00 PM: Set-up crew of 30 to 40 brethren should arrive to help set up the serving lines. 03:00 PM - 05:45 PM: We need all the volunteers to be there to serve food and drinks to the athletes and families. 05:45 PM - 06:45 PM: We need 30 to 40 brethren to help clean the area. 06:30 PM – 07:30 PM: Volunteers are encouraged to stay and watch the opening ceremony.

To volunteer, please contact

Jesse Villarreal (SGD): JV1301@aol.com Teko Foly (SGS): fmteko@yahoo.com Ken Fuller (JGS): kedafuller@rcn.com Kurt Hamrock (WM#7): khamrock@mckennalong.com Go to www.specialolympicsdc.org for complete schedule information