Memorial or Funeral Rites for GLOs.

[Wolfman]

Thanks! Yes, as an aside, Omega Psi Phi does have some beautiful songs--both melodies and lyrics. This is not simply an Omega man bragging. I've heard other Greeks(esp. women!) say the same. One of things that draws people to our Memorial Services is the singing of our hymn,"Omega Dear', which is the last thing we do. It is a beautiful and moving hymn with crisp, meaningful lyrics and a haunting melody. Yes, not only Langston Hughes, but Dr. Charles Drew, the man most responsible for the development of the use of blood plasma in WWII and a great surgeon/educator and Dr. W. Mercer Cook, Professor of French at Howard Univ. and Ambassador to Senegal (of whom it was said that he spoke English with a French accent!),wrote this song when they were undergrads at Amherst College.

"Que Psi Phi til the day I die!"

[NebraskaDelt]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I wondered about that. It was a topic at Karnea a few years ago, but I didn't know if it was ever completed.

It was past in Denver last year ( along with changes to the public and private Ritual books ) although it was pretty much in place unofficially for as long as I can remember.

[HBADPi]

Originally posted by SAEalumnus
SAE has both a general Memorial Service and a specific Burial Service within its collective Ritual. Both are brief and non-sectarian.

The Memorial Service is frequently conducted at conventions, leadership schools, and the like, and is used to remember all Brothers who have passed. Nothing contained within this rite is anything particularly secret, but the service is generally only held at meetings at which non-members are rarely, if ever, present.

The Burial Service is geared towards a specific loss. This rite can be either public or private, depending on the circumstances (if public, certain supplemental portions are omitted).

I think I may have seen one of these. I lost a very good SAE friend in college and the brothers performed a ceremony during the memorial service...it was very touching and really showed how close the chapter had become. Still get goosebumps when I think of that time...

[KSUViolet06]

We have a service for those who enter Omega chapter (pass on). It's done at convention (triennially).

[LXAAlum]

LXA has a Memorial Service that is one of our "open" Rituals. It can be performed as it's own service (for example, the chapter members and other greek members and family, apart from the funeral), or, it can be done during the funeral, or at a graveside service.

It is really up to the family to determine where it would be appropriate.

I've seen it done once at a funeral, and I've participated in one that was done at an on-campus chapel, but was separate from the family's events.

It's short and simple, and reminds all of us to strive for the best in life, for life can be fleeting.