Deceased Members
The loss of a sister because of death can be a difficult time for the chapter. In addition to grief and sadness there can be feelings of anxiety and uncertainty about what to do regarding the member’s emblem. A P.E.O. emblem is lent to each member of the Sisterhood for her sole use as long as she is an active member. The emblem may be buried with a deceased member. Cremation is a form of burial. A P.E.O. emblem may be enclosed with ashes in the cremation urn; however, if ashes are scattered, the emblem must be returned to the Emblem Division.
Ascertain if the emblem was buried or cremated with the member. If not, the emblem must be secured and returned, with the Emblem Return form, to the P.E.O. Emblem Division.
P.E.O. loving kindness extends to the survivors of our sisters, especially during their time of mourning. When a chapter finds it necessary to send a written request that the emblem of a deceased sister be returned to the Sisterhood, it is important to be gracious and thoughtful of the family during their grieving period. A handwritten personal note or a Request for Emblem of Deceased Member form may be mailed to the next of kin. This form is available on the P.E.O. website peointernational.org.
Be tactful when requesting the return of an emblem. Getting the emblem back is not an urgent task. Wait an appropriate length of time after the death of a member to inquire about the return of her emblem. Use common courtesy—do not approach family members about retrieving the emblem during a wake, visitation or funeral.
The anxiety and uncertainty about what to do regarding the member’s emblem or her preferences for a memorial can be lessened if each member regularly updates The P.E.O. Wish, which is a form available from the chapter president and the P.E.O. website.
Request for Emblem of Deceased Member Request for Emblem of Inactive Member
Inactive Members
If a member chooses to become inactive, she must return her emblem to her chapter president. The chapter president will hold the inactive member’s emblem for three years. If the inactive member is reinstated within three years, her emblem shall be returned to her; otherwise it shall be sent by the president to the P.E.O. Emblem Division.
Retrieving the emblem from an inactive member can also be a delicate situation. While getting her emblem back should be done in a timely manner, do not approach the inactive member in a confrontational manner or treat the return of the emblem as a punishment.
The official Request for Emblem of Inactive Member form is a tactful way to let the member know she is required to turn in her pin, that she will be missed and that she has the option to reinstate her membership in the future. This is also a good opportunity to send her the Guide for Inactive Members so she knows how easy it is to reinstate when she’s ready. These materials can be found on the P.E.O. website peointernational.org.
