The Wardens, Deacons and Stewards, will now approach the East and form a procession, thus:
Two Stewards, with rods.
Two Wardens.
The Worshipful Master, supported by the Deacons, with rods.
This procession will move once around the catafalque to slow and solemn music. On arriving at the East, the procession will halt and open to the right and left. The Junior Warden will then advance to the catafalque, and, placing upon it a bunch of white flowers, will say:
Junior Warden: In memory of our departed brethren I deposit these white flowers, emblematical of that pure life to which they have been called, and reminding us that as these children of an hour will droop and fade away, so, too, shall we soon follow those who have gone before us, and inciting us so to fill the brief span of our existence that we may leave to our survivors a sweet savor of remembrance.
The Junior Warden will now return to his place, and an interval of profound silence will be observed. The procession will again be formed, and move as before, to the sound of slow music, twice around the catafalque. They will open as before, and the Senior Warden approaching the catafalque will place upon it a wreath of white flowers, and say:
Senior Warden: As the sun sets in the West, to close the day and herald the approach of night, so, one by one we lay us down in the darkness of the tomb to wait in its calm repose for the time when the heavens shall pass away as a scroll, and man, standing in the presence of the Infinite, shall realize the true end of his pilgrimage here below. Let these flowers be to us the symbol of remembrance of all the virtues of our brethren who have preceded us to the silent land, the token of that fraternal alliance which binds us while on earth and which we hope will finally unite us in heaven.
The Senior Warden returns to his place, and an interval of profound silence will be observed. The procession will again be formed, and move three times around the catafalque to slow and solemn music, as before. Arrived in the East, the Worshipful Master will advance and place upon the Urn a wreath of evergreen, and say:
Worshipful Master: It is appointed unto all men once to die, and after death cometh the resurrection. The dust shall return to the earth and the spirit unto God who gave it. In the grave all men are equal; the good deeds, the lofty thoughts, the heroic sacrifices alone survive and bear fruit in the lives of those who strive to emulate them.
While, therefore, nature will have its way, and our tears will fall upon the graves of our brethren, let us be reminded by the evergreen symbol of our faith in immortal life that the dead are but sleeping, and be comforted by the reflection that their memories will not be forgotten; that they will still be loved by those who are soon to follow them; that in our archives their names are written, and that in our hearts there is still a place for them. And so, trusting in the infinite love and tender mercy of Him without whose knowledge not even a sparrow falls, let us prepare to meet them where there is no parting, and where with them we shall enjoy eternal rest.