Should You Suppress Deceased Donors From Your Database?

Your service bureau can run your housefile and rented names against the Social Security Administration\'s file of deceased names. But don\'t just go ahead and suppress the hits. For at least one or two drops, code them separately and mail them. When Covenant House did this we got a higher-than-average response rate from the names because widows and widowers were willing to respond to mail in their loved one\'s name! The rate of response may vary from one non-profit to another and by coding the names, you\'ll know what makes the most sense for your organization.