Illness

The Knights of Columbus is a Fraternal organization. With Fraternity as one of its cardinal virtues, the
support and assistance of member in times of illness is of major importance.
Should illness strike your Sir Knight, you ladies or other family members, are requested to notify one of the
Fourth Degree members or your acquaintance, of the fact immediately. Other member will be then advised
and will be asked to remember their Brother in their prayers, to visit him, and to offer any needed assistance.
This, of course, always has a cheering effect on the ailing member.

It is important that notification be made to a member of the assembly, as soon as possible, by some member
of their family. That is the only way that other Sir Knights can be made aware of their Brother's illness.

Death

Death comes to all men, but one of the great consolations of our Catholic faith is that death is a beginning,
not an end. The chief aim of fraternalism, in this respect, is the consolation of the bereaved.
The Knights of Columbus offer certain rites in connection with the death of a member, designed to remind the
living of the Promise of the Resurrection and to demonstrate the esteem in which the deceased is held by the fraternity.
The following are some steps which should be taken by a member of the deceased Sir Knight's family upon
the death of the Sir Knight.

1. Each Assembly has a member, usually the Fraternal Chairman, whose responsibility it is to
   maintain close contact with the family of the deceased Sir Knight during the period immediately
   following the death. His name and telephone number should be published in the assembly
   newsletter. He is the Fourth Degree Representative, and should be notified of the death of a
   Sir Knight as soon as possible. He, in turn, will notify the proper persons. If the family so wishes,
   the Fourth Degree Representative will also assist in the following measures.
   
   
2. If it is in keeping with the wishes of the family, arrangements should be made with the funeral
   director to have the deceased Sir Knight attired in the uniform of the Fourth Degree
   [Black Tux and Accessories]. The cape and chapeau and his sheathed sword are to be placed
   upon the casket during the wake and funeral and a proper notification to his Brother Sir Knight
   be included in the death notice in the newspaper.
   
   
3. Fourth Degree members of the Assembly will mount an Honor Guard, "Watch of the Dead" at
   the wake. One Sir Knight in full regalia stands at the head of the casket and one at the foot
   during the wake. The Guard is change at regular intervals.
   
   
4. Following the wake services, a certificate of condolence is presented to the widow or a member
   of the family, expressing the sense of loss shared by the assembly and the bereaved family.
   
   
5. Subject to availability, and at the request of the family of the deceased, Four Degree Knights will
   serve as pallbearers. Such request should be made through the Fourth Degree Representative,
   who will assist the family in securing the active pallbearers. Active pallbearers will wear the
   uniform of the Fourth Degree minus the sword.
   
   
6. At the conclusion of the graveside rites, or at some other appropriate time during the wake or
   funeral, the sword of the deceased Sir Knight will be presented to one of the sons of the
   deceased [usually the eldest], or the widow or nearest relative in a appropriate ceremony.
   The Faithful Navigator, Color Corp Commander or some other designated officer will make
   the presentation.