deaths

[chopper816]

ok, i have a question, when a member dies, is there any special ceremony we have or anything special we do? i didnt know if there was any ritualistic type of thing we'd do in the event a brother dies, if anyone knows, let me know! thanks yall

[jonsagara]

I seem to remember there being a ceremony in the "Open Rituals" book. The Phi should have a copy of it. I could be wrong, though - it has been 4 years.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

[LXAAlum]

Originally posted by jonsagara
I seem to remember there being a ceremony in the "Open Rituals" book. The Phi should have a copy of it. I could be wrong, though - it has been 4 years.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

Yes, it's still there, and unfortunately, I've had to be involved in one. It's only a suggested ceremony - and there are options available. Just look at the red "Open Rituals" book and it's explained, otherwise, contact Nationals for assistance.

I hope you're just inquiring from curiousity, and not out of necessity. If the latter is true, PLEASE PM ME and I will assist as much as possible.

[chopper816]

just out of curiousity

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by LXAAlum
Just look at the red "Open Rituals" book and it's explained, otherwise, contact Nationals for assistance.

Not necessarily. THis subject is a very sore spot with me.

(In brief answer to your question, yes there is a ceremony. Its very moving, especially the paragraph about death. I have goosebumps thinking about it. "A time of grief is a time of faith, a time of hope and a time of love..." I have performed the ceremony twice. Both for undergraduates, while I was an undergraduate, and it sucked. )

Anyway, When we lost a brother, I had remembered seeing a fraternity floral arrangment photo in one of the glass cases in the Mason Library/mezanne area, that was the official suggested arrangment (kinda looked like the flag) to be used at memorials. SO I called HQ and spoke with I believe, Kip Zurcher. He could have given a shit that we just lost a brother. Very unprofesional and cold. (Yes, I knwo thats Kip, but show some compassion). All he cared was that the brother didnt die on chapter property. Didnt even offer a condolance. And certainly couldnt be botherd to get off his pasty white ass to go look for the pict. Said, "No I dotn know what your talking about." Of course two months later when I was in Indy, I went by and there it was. Still in the cabinet WHERE I HAD DESCRIBED IT. It was literally 20 feet from his desk. Hate that shit. Yeah, stellar customer service from 8741 Founders. Huh, $1500 a year to you or the undergrads. In the spirit of Tom Earp, guess whos gonna win that one?

[john1082]

I have also had the unpleasant experience of woking with a chapter following a death. The circumstances are not important. Perhaps someday, if we meet, I'll share some thoughts with you. Suffice it to say that I have never felt more helpless with respect to my brothers as i did at that time. There was no way that I could lift the terrible burden from their shoulders . . .

I would suggest that the High Alpha discretely inquire of the family whattheir thoughts are regarding partiicipation in the funeral and associated events. We can do whateverwe please in the chapter room, but that's between us. We cannot interfere with the family's thoughts, wishes, and desires.

BTW, if anyone has a copy of the memorial service, I'd like to take a peek at it. I've never seen it before!