When a constituent dies, updating their record keeps their giving history intact in Bloomerang CRM and helps make sure your organization doesn't try to contact them again.
Change the Status to Deceased
To mark a constituent as deceased:
Click the Profile tab.
In the Basic Info section, click Edit.
From the Status list, select Deceased.
Click Save.
Review Pledges and Recurring Donations
Write off any pledge that won't be fulfilled, and add an end date to any recurring donation schedule.
Update the Household
If the constituent belonged to a household:
Update the household salutations (Informal, Formal, and Recognition names) so they address the surviving members correctly. When you can, ask the surviving members how they'd like to be addressed.
If the constituent was the head of household, designate a new head of household. Choose the member with the closest relationship to your organization.
If a surviving spouse remarries, either remove the deceased member from the household or add a custom relationship such as Deceased Spouse, Widow, or Widower.
Important: Don't merge a deceased constituent's record into a living relative's record. Separate records keep giving history accurate, send tax receipts to the right person, and preserve each constituent's complete history with your organization. Keeping the records separate also lets you honor the legacy of the constituent who died while you stay in touch with the surviving members of their household.
What Happens Automatically
Emails and letters exclude Inactive and Deceased constituents by default, but you can turn those exclusions off. Make sure they're still on.
If you use Journey Automation, marking a constituent as Deceased removes them from any automation they're in.
Deceased Records from NCOA Updates
If you turned on National Change of Address (NCOA) updates, Bloomerang CRM might mark some constituents as Deceased for you. NCOA doesn't catch every record, so review your records rather than relying on it alone. To learn more, read Individual & Household Deceased Records on the TrueGivers website.