By Right Worshipful Brother David Cumming, DDGM, District 5

A family member contacted the New Hampshire Grand Lodge Office to inquire about how to obtain a Masonic Funeral Service for her father, who was a resident of Alton NH, but a member of a Lodge in Massachusetts. The office reached out to Winnipisaukee Lodge 75 to see if we could provide assistance.

After contacting the daughter, it was determined that she would like the service to be at the Lodge, along with a Celebration of Life. Quick coordination was made with Most Worshipful Brother John E. Lobdell, and a dispensation was granted. The time of the event was established, and the Lodge contacted members to see who could attend. Of course, the month of June can be a difficult time with other family activities going on and having sufficient Brothers available.

The Lodge would have had a minimal number of Masons present to do the service, so they reached out to other Lodges in the District to see if any other Brethren could attend, and the response was heart-warming. Rather than having six or seven at the service, there were fourteen Brethren in attendance, with four Brothers acting as Stewards and Deacons, holding crossed rods for most of the service. The service was done very well, the family and friends were deeply moved, and a Mason of 48 years was remembered in a way that does Masonry proud.

Two Masons in attendance were well acquainted with the deceased Brother. The others had never met him, but we all knew him well; He was a Mason, like us.

Brethren, when you hear of a Masonic service being held, at your Lodge or another, and you can offer your assistance to the Lodge conducting the service, please offer to help. This is what sets our Fraternity apart from so many others and shows others that we are committed to the tenets of our profession. Remember, you do know him well; he was a Mason.