WE as Free & Accepted Masons are taught at the beginning of our values of being a true Mason is to look after our Masonic Brother and their widows. It’s one our best fulfillment to one of our avowed obligations to one another; it will be such, an honor, delightful and a full satisfaction of a great demonstration of our Masonic Brotherhood to behold.

This Masonic Widow Program is to help our Lodge to keep in touch with our fallen brother widow and to show her, that she is still a vital part of our lodge.  We know how w important it is to keep in touch with them.  To let her know that the time she shared with her husband Masonry isn’t something she only had with her husband but with the lodge also.

In adopting a Masonic Widow Program will help the lodge to do it’s best to keep in touch with the Brother Widow.  In some cases we will lose all contact with the widow after the brother passing. Some are at no fault of our own and some may be of her own choosing...  She might feel that her time, with her husband in Masonry, is something she did just for him.  Others are because we didn’t do our part in keeping in touch with or having something more for them and to  show them that they a part of the lodge.  By having this program in place will help us to keep in touch with them and offer any assistance to them.

1.0 Purpose

This  Masonic  Widows Project is dedicated  to the old and  new generation of those who have lost the heroes, love ones  of yesterday, today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears and laughter………Masonic Widow to Masonic Widow.

We are taught as a core value in Freemasonry to look after our Masonic brethren and their families. Extend a hand of fellowship, guidance and assistance to the widow.  Thus to let her know that she is remember, not forgotten and that she still belongs to our Masonic Family.

2.0  Scope

When it comes to a Masonic Widow there are cases when they will lose all contact with the lodge after their love ones dies.  It may be of her; own doing. She might look at her time in the Masonic light as something she only had with her husband.

Adopting an active widow program can ensure that the lodge does in fact stays in touch with the brother widow; and offer any assistance to the said widow if the need should arise.

3.1 The Broken Column

3.2 Widows Certificate

3.3 Chaplain Letter

3.4 Grand Lodge Letter

4.1 Broken Column: The broken column memorializes the end of our earthly life.  Surrounding the broken column; are acacia leaves, symbolic of our eternal life.

4.2 Widows Certificate: Certificate of Remembrances.

4.3 Chaplin Letter: A letter from the Lodge Chaplin to convey our Swore and Sympathy.

5.1. – Maintain the list:  Secretary will compile a list of all Masonic widows of the Brethren who has passed away. He will also notify the Grand Lodge of deceased brethren.  Provide clerical support and brothers’ data when needed.

5.2. – Reestablish: Worshipful Master will contact with the widows of a fallen brethren to write a personal note to each widow and hope that she is doing well and provide her with a lodge point of contact to all widows who live locally.

5.2a – Widows who live some distance from the Lodge:  The Secretary should contact the Grand Lodge Secretary or a Masonic lodge that she lives closest to; and request them to keep in contact with her.

5.3 – Establish contact with a new widow : Worshipful Master will contact the widow as soon as he learn of the death of a fallen Brethren, and express to her our condolence and she is if there is anything that we can do to help.

5.4. – Maintain continuing contact: Schedule personal contact or visit with the widows at least four or five times a year to ensure that they are in good health and is there anything that we could do within reason.

5.5 – Planned Activity: A Program Design for our Special Ladies (Our Masonic Widow)

6.1a Will contact the widow of a fallen brother, and see if there is any that the lodge can do, to assist the widow.

6.1b Supervising the widow program.

6.1c The Newly Installed Master will appoint a Committee to provide Masonic Benevolence and assistance for the widow.

6.2a Secretary will compile a list of all Masonic brother in need of assistance and widows of the Brethren who has passed away.

6.2b He will compile two listing one being local and one for those that are aboard and out of State.

6.2c Secretary will contact a lodge nearest where the brother has moved too. And ask for their assistant in the widow program.

6.3 Chaplin

6.3a Will send out a letter Respect of Resolution. And he will also follow up to see what the lodge can do to help in her time of swore.

6.3b He will compile two listing one being local and one for those that are aboard and out of State.

6.2c Secretary will contact a lodge nearest where the brother has moved too. And ask for their assistant in the widow program.

7.1 Conducting the Masonic Funeral Service for the family of a deceased Brother is both an honor and a duty of all Freemasons.

7.2 Many members may express interest in having his Lodge perform a Masonic funeral upon their death. This is your right as a Mason. But how does one go about making this preparation and where can such a service take place? First, a Masonic funeral is held at the request of a departed Brother or his family.

7.2a Second, the service may be held in a chapel, church, synagogue or Lodge room with committal at graveside, or the complete service can be performed at any of the aforementioned places without a separate, committal. Also, a memorial service may be requested; however, you should make your wishes known to your immediate family. The Masonic service may be held in conjunction with a religious service and/or other service.  This is at the pleasure of the family, the only restriction being that the Masonic service, once started, must be completed without interruption for another service.

7.3 Discuss this with those responsible openly and frankly. It is highly recommended that you: (1) put your wishes in writing (see attachment 3), (2) give a copy to the person who will handle your affairs, and (3) place another copy with your will, insurance papers and other valuable documents so that your survivors can clearly comply with your expressed wishes.

1) In the event of sickness or injury of the Master Mason, please notify the secretary or other responsible officer of the Lodge, giving the nature of confinement, place of confinement (home or hospital), and special needs, such as blood donations, financial, etc.

2) In case of the death of the Master Mason, please notify the secretary or other responsible officer of the Lodge, giving the place, time and date of the funeral; attempt to locate the Master Mason’s white apron (Lambskin). If it is the family’s desire, request a Masonic Memorial Service, and request pall bearers from Lodge as needed.

Attachment #1

Widow:

Mrs. Jane Dow

Any Street

Louisville, Ky. 40219

Affiliation: O.E.S.

Birth Date:

Request, at the time of my death, that the Lodge would provide a Masonic Memorial Service for me prior to the burial of either at my casket or urn. I would also like request Masonic Pall Bearers to be provided to help; for any and all occasions my family may need help with.

My family or next of kin have been informed of my request and have been given a copy of this form. They will do their utmost to see that my white Apron (lambskin) be preserved and given to one of the Officers of the Lodge, or Funeral Director for proper display during the Masonic Memorial Service. Further, it is my request that my Masonic Apron be buried with my remains.