cardijn died due to renal complications on 24 july 1967; his remains were interred in the notre-dame parish church in laeken. on 19 june 1967 he was stricken with a terrible illness causing great pain; he had once had an operation in 1952, which led some to believe the illness was related to that operation. cardijn suffered from a high fever and even fell down the stairs several times believing the pain would soon disappear. his diagnosis was not clear at first as his temperature increased, which worried those around him. he was taken to hospital where it was discovered he had a severe renal infection. he knew his time was short and dated his final letter to paul vi on 25 june 1967. he had an operation in late june and his condition made a slight improvement to the point that he could have a little beer or coffee.