Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest secular fraternal organization. It seeks to unite men of diverse backgrounds and beliefs into a harmonious and productive community through the application of moral principles, benevolence, intellectual growth, and mutual respect. This section of the cemetery contains many Freemason graves and burials.

Historic Congressional Cemetery has long shared a close relationship with Masonic lodges in Washington, DC. More than 1,400 Freemasons are memorialized at the cemetery, including at least 19 Grand Masters, or chief executives, of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. Their graves and memorials reflect both the civic prominence of Freemasonry in the capital city and the enduring bonds of fraternity that continued beyond death. 

Freemasons employ symbolism and allegory in their initiations to convey the teachings of their organization. Among these are symbols associated with mortality, such as the scythe and the skull and crossbones, which remind Masons that death comes to all regardless of social standing, religious belief, or other human distinction.

Upon a Mason’s death, his family may request that a special funeral ceremony be performed by his lodge, alongside any traditional services provided by their church or congregation. This ceremony is notable as one of the few Masonic rites performed in public.

During the 19th century, many fraternal organizations provided life insurance or burial benefits as part of their membership. Freemasons chartered charity organizations, retirement homes, and pooled their resources to purchase plots in cemeteries to enable Masons and their families to have access to affordable end-of-life services. Masonic cemeteries provided burial plots at reduced cost, and serve as a means for members to maintain a sense of fraternity even in death. The presence of so many Masonic burials in this section and at this cemetery illustrates the important historic and ongoing role of Freemasonry in the social, charitable, and civic life of Washington, DC.