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The man who had passed away was both a retired Marine and a Mason so his memorial service had both Masonic rites and full military honors. He had reached the level of Right Worshipful Brother in the Masons so he had a large contingent on hand to perform the rites.

All participants line up in a double line wearing their accoutrements and carry an evergreen twig to lay on the casket. A Bible, a square and a compass are placed before the casket on a small pedestal with the wardens columns on either side. Then either the master or the chaplain starts the ceremony.

It struck me as a little weird, no disrespect intended. Mostly they wore black tuxedos with white gloves, the ceremonial apron and all the jewels, medals etc. to which each was entitled. When the chaplain says amen at the end of each prayer, the assembled Masons all reply, "So mote it be." For the burial honors, the Master says, We consign this body to the earth, and all together extend their hands downward, palms up. Then he says, We cherish his memory here, and all cross both arms over the chest, left arm on top. Finally he says, We commend his spirit to God who gave it. At that all raise their hands in the air, palm inward (but don't wave them like they just don't care). An effort is made to use generic terms like The Grand Architect rather than God, but it still sounds more Christian-oriented than the pan-religiosity claimed.

The Masonic rites took around 20-25 minutes. Sadly, there were no sacrifices made to Baphomet.