I ran across this card (circa 1957) recently and I thought you might enjoy it.
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Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Dear Friend,
May we offer our condolences in this your Hour of Sorrow, by sharing with you that letter of our beloved Masonic Brother, Benjamin Franklin, who wrote his brother John’s bereaved widow:
A man is not completely born until he is dead.
Why then, should we grieve, that a new child is born among the immortals? We are spirits! That temporal bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in making a living, or in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When these physical bodies become unfit for these purposes, affording us pain instead of pleasure, becoming a burden instead of a blessing, it is equally kind and benevolent that God has provided a way by which we can vacate them.
Death is that way! Our friend and I were invited abroad on a party of pleasure, which is to last forever. His chair was ready first, and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together; and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and know where to find him.
– Carolina Consistory A.A.S.R.
