In some

masonic Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

jurisdictions, a Masonic Funeral is a rite afforded to

Master Mason Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

s in good standing with their Lodges. Under extenuating circumstances satisfactory to the Master of their Lodges, Masonic funerals may also be conducted in memory of Fellow Crafts or Entered Apprentices who received their degree less than one year prior to their death, or to Master Masons who were suspended for nonpayment of dues within the same time limit. The Masonic funeral rites are performed by a deceased Master Mason's lodge, so that he can be honored by those who have known him and his works. It is one of the few ceremonies performed in public by

Freemasons Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

. Such a Masonic funeral is carried out at the request of a Master Mason or his family.

Notable Masonic funerals

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...

's funeral was organized by the local

Masonic lodge A Masonic lodge, often termed a private lodge or constituent lodge, is the basic organisational unit of Freemasonry. It is also commonly used as a term for a building in which such a unit meets. Every new lodge must be warranted or chartered ...

and held on December 18, 1799. Following a celebration of the Episcopal Order of Burial, a Masonic funeral took place, conducted by the Reverends James Muir of the Alexandria Presbyterian Church and Dr. Elisha Dick. On 29 July 2020, a masonic funeral ceremony for Congressman John R Lewis took place in the

Georgia State Capitol The Georgia State Capitol is an architecturally and historically significant building in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The building has been named a National Historic Landmark which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As ...

. Lewis was a senior Freemason in the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM of Georgia and in the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction.

References

{{Reflist Masonic rites