Blaine's Burial Ceremony

Archon - Jake

With sorrowing hearts we are gathered here to express a lasting token of respect and affection for our deceased Brother Blaine Schumacher. As we loved him in life, it is fitting that we should accord to him in death our fraternal regard and esteem.

Please rise while the Eminent Chaplain leads us in prayer

Chaplain - Lewis

I invite you to join in an attitude of prayer:

Eternal God, you have shared with us the life of Blaine Schumacher.

Before he was ours, he is yours.

For all that Blaine has given us to make us what we are, for that of him which lives and grows in each of us, and for his life that in your love will never end, we give you thanks.

As now we offer Blaine back into your arms, comfort us in our loneliness, strengthen us in our weakness and give us courage to face the future unafraid.

Draw those of us who remain in this life closer to one another, make us faithful to serve our neighbor, and give us to know that peace and joy which is eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord

Archon - Jake

We will now join in the singing of “Violets”

“Violets” lyrics

Violet, Violet You're the fairest flower to me Violet, Violet Emblem of fraternity With your perfume memories come Of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Dearest flower beneath the sun My Violet.

Archon - Jake

Please be seated. We will now hear memorial tributes from the following persons who will speak without further introductions:

(Person 1)

(Person 2)

(Person 3) (optional)

Chaplain - Lewis

I had the privilege of knowing and participating in the life of the fraternity with Blaine. And at his initiation I served as the Chaplain and to speak the words of a particular poem to him. It is a poem that all member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon have received as a part of their initiation ritual and it reminds us of the hope that can be found even in the most difficult of time; in the death of a fellow brother. Much of our laws and rituals are held closely within walls of the chapter and the confines of our hearts, but this poem is the exception. So I share with you burial poem of Sigma Alpha Epsilon that it might be a word of comfort and hope for you today.

Pledge we now the mystic token

That our bond remain unbroken,

Firm and lasting as before.

Death may veil, but cannot sever,

Love still lives and lives forever,

Strong and constant, as of yore.

Yonder in Phi Alpha’s dawning,

Highest hopes and holiest longing

Shall their full fruition find.

There, with perfect bonds fraternal,

‘Neath the All-seeing Eye Eternal,

Love our hearts shall closer bind.

Archon - Jake

Please stand and join in the singing of “Friends”

“Friends” Lyrics

Friends, friends, friends You and I will be. Whether in fair or in dark stormy weather, We'll stand or we'll fall together, For ΣΑΕ. We will always be, Our bonds celebrating Till death separating Old pals from me. Phi Alpha!

Archon - Jake

Life is sweet, but all who are born must die, and all who meet, as surely, must part. Let us mourn, but not as those having no hope. As we now bid farewell to Brother Blaine Schumacher, let us cherish his memory forever.

Chaplain - Lewis

This concludes the service of committal.

Please feel free to go or stay as long as you would like.