Funeral Ceremonies of the Order of the Eastern Star
At the burial of a sister, the badges of the members and officers should be draped with crape. A floral five-pointed Star should be provided, having flowers of the appropriate colors for the several points. The Star officers should each have a small bouquet, or a few loose flowers of the appropriate color. A few flowers should also be provided for the Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron.
The floral Star may be deposited with the casket, or be retained by the family of the deceased.
This service, although primarily designed for use at the Grave, can, if it is thought best to do so, be performed within the Chapter room, the Church, or other appropriate place. The members may meet at the Chapter room, or at the place of service.
A member will be appointed to act as Marshal, who will see that the badges are properly draped, and that the officers and members are in their proper positions.
If a procession is formed, it will march in the following order: Marshal and Sentinel, Members, Warder and Electa, Martha and Esther, Ruth and Adah, Conductress and Associate Conductress, Secretary and Treasurer, Matron and Associate Matron, Patron and Chaplain.
During the services, the officers and members will occupy the following positions around the grave or casket:
Funeral Positions.
When all is ready, the services should commence with a short strain of solemn music, "The Lord is my Shepherd," etc. After which the Worthy Patron will say:
W. P. Sisters and Brothers, we have gathered at this solemn hour to perform those final rites which affection has prescribed for our departed sister. She, who was with us but yesterday, has been summoned hence by a messenger who cometh sooner or later for us all.
How appropriately may we gather around her remains, and together pay love's tribute to her memory.
She has indeed passed beyond the reach of praise, or the touch of censure. It is not, therefore, to her that we tender this our heart's saddest offering.
We are here in acknowledgment of sacred ties now severed, of memories tenderly cherished, and hearts touched with sympathy for loved ones bereaved.
Our sister has finished her allotted task in the conflict of life. The chapter of her earthly sojourn is closed, but her many virtues shall not go unrecorded.
For a time we have walked with her in the pilgrimage of life, and around the same altar we have learned the lessons of our Order.
As she was faithful to her convictions of right, as she was obedient to the demands of honor and justice in her station; as she loved kindred and friends, and in affliction evinced a trustful faith; and as she lived in the spirit of charity and the love of truth, so shall be her reward.
Remembering her many virtues, we are indeed mourners at her grave, and in the house of sorrow we would drop the tear of affectionate sympathy.
Sisters, brothers, and friends, as we stand in this solemn presence we may hear the voice of this Providence speaking to us.
Not long shall we wait ere we obey the inexorable decree of Death, and follow our sister.
How brief and full of mystery is human life! Who can fathom its purpose, or disclose its issues. We entered life as it were but yesterday; to-day we perform our allotted task, and to-morrow we go—who knows whither? We strain our eyes in vain endeavor to scan with mortal vision the infinite shore. But, thanks to our Heavenly Father, who gives fruition to His children's hopes, He bids us look yet again.
Standing beside the Broken Column, we may, with Martha's trustful faith, look beyond the shore of time, and know that our sister, though lost to mortal vision, is only waiting beyond the river to welcome us to our eternal home.
"In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am there ye may be also." O, let the comforting assurance come to us, "That if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens."
Instructed by this Providence, may we go from this place of mourning, and this hour of reflection, with the inspiration of a new hope, and earnest purpose.
"So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan that moves
To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."