An Open Letter to Clergy of All Faiths Concerning
"Widows Sons Grand Guard Funeral Services."

OUR CHAPTERS
Many lodges, some veterans' organizations, and various other societies, as well as Freemasonry, have funeral services, but this letter is primarily concerned with the services of the Widows Sons International Masonic Riders Association Grand Guard.

To start, it may be well to point out that the Widows Sons International Masonic Riders Association Grand Guard is not a religion, although it is religious. That is, they do not believe itself to be an instrument of God for the purpose of reconciling men to Himself, but teaches that men do need such reconciliation and should seek it through loyal involvement with the religious faith of their preference. The grand chapter has no "plan of salvation" or way of atonement to offer its members. Rather, it teaches the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. The participation of this Masonic Predicated Institution in a funeral service is an expression of its fraternal affection for the deceased brother and for his family rather than the exercise of a priestly ministry representing God.

No one is ever Obligated to have a Widows Sons Funeral. It is not a requirement of the Widows Sons that a member have his funeral service conducted, either in whole or in part, by the Widows Sons Grand Guard. Any member who was in good standing at the time of his death may have a Widows Sons Grand Guard Funeral ritual if he requested it or if his family so requests. Any participation in the service, other than the attendance of individual chapter members as a part of the general congregation, is always by request to the Widows Sons International Masonic Riders Association.

The Widows Sons International Masonic Riders Association or the Grand Guard International has no wish to displace or hinder any Minister of God in the pastoral care of his charge. If the fraternity is requested to participate in a funeral, it desires to cooperate with the clergy in any way possible.

We understand that different religious groups have differing requirements and regulations concerning funerals and we wish to respect the convictions of all the clergy involved.

When it is requested that the Widows Sons participate in a funeral, we suggest that the Grand Chapter President of the Grand Chapter involved get in touch with any clergy who are going to serve as quickly as possible, well before the hour of the service. In most cases it will be the "Grand Chapter President" who will conduct the Grand Guard portion of the service. If the minister is uncertain about what the Grand Guard intends to do, it is quite in order for him to contact the Grand Chapter President and suggest that the two of them get together to discuss the situation.' The Grand Chapter President would be happy to consult with you when their groups are going to serve at the funeral.

Except for a few groups, the Widows Sons being one, Masonic membership predicated organizations are composed of individuals who profess different religions. Some are Christians, some Jews, some Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists, and some are of other faiths. The general Widows Sons funeral services are intended to be suitable for persons of any faith.

The Widows Sons Grand Guard involvement in a funeral, may range from conducting the entire service to simply attending in a group while someone else conducts the service. As the minister in pastoral relation to the family involved, it is your prerogative to suggest to the family the type of involvement you think proper and helpful in a specific situation. In general, the Widows Sons Grand Guard will do as much or as little as you and the family agree they should do. As the Pastor to the family, it is your right and duty to guide them in the requirements of your faith. If there are certain things which the tenets of your faith require in funeral services, do not hesitate to indicate to the family and the Grand Chapter President that it will be necessary for you to perform particular portions of any Joint service.'

In some cases problems can be eliminated by having the Widows Sons Service the evening before the funeral. The Widows Sons Grand Guard can also conduct a grave side service only, and sometimes the Widows Sons Grand Guard provides a floral emblem and the pallbearers. Whatever the Widows Sons Grand Guard does, it desires to cooperate with you in every way.

The Widows Sons Grand Guard have a prescribed service. Sometimes a few of the customs involved may seem unusual to non-Masons. For example, the Grand Chapter President may wear a hat while doing his part in the service, the chapter members may place sprigs of evergreen on the casket, and a small white leather apron may be placed in or on the casket.

The hat is worn because it is a Masonic custom for the presiding officer to have his head covered while officiating. Wearing or not wearing the top hat is at the discretion of the Grand Chapter President. He may direct that the hat be worn or not be worn at a funeral. The sprig of evergreen is a symbol of immortality. The white leather apron, called a "lambskin," is the badge of a Mason and it is his to wear, even in death. He wore that apron when he was made a Mason, on the day he received his first degree. It has symbolic allusions to God's care which is provided for us, but which we can not supply to ourselves.

Sometimes the wording of the Services may seem a bit old, and may reflect the thinking and values of an earlier day. Many of the services are rather long, particularly when the Masonic observance is to be a part of the service and not the whole of it. As a minister, you are quite free to discuss your feelings and offer suggestions and direction to the person who is going to conduct the Widows Sons Grand Guard portion of the service.

We would be most happy for you to become better acquainted with the Widows Sons Grand Guard practices in this connection. If you would like to do so, the Chapter President of a nearby chapter would be glad to spend some time with you, show you the Widows Sons Services used in your area, and discuss Widows Sons Grand Guard Funerals at greater length with you before a particular service arises. We would like to leave you with this one bit of information. Masonry teaches that our membership is never to interfere with our obligations to God, our country, our neighbors, our families, or ourselves. It is our desire that there never be any conflict with the Church, Temple, Synagogue, Mosque, or other religious group to which our brother belonged concerning his funeral service.

Widows Sons Grand Guard Funerals

Published by
Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association
Grand Guard International
http://widowssons.ws/grandguard

9 Aster Place
Fenham
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE49SE
England