Compiled and managed by The Ark, the National Deceased Register contains approximately 4 million records and receives monthly updates of around 30,000 new names.

Created through a network of more than 8,000 contributing partner organisations, the NDR contains records dating back as far as the year 2000 and only includes a name on the file once the death has been confirmed by cross referencing against Government data.

Contributors to the file come from a variety of sectors including financial services, retail and the legal profession, amongst others. Records are collected through a number of different contacts points, such as policy updates, registrations and memberships. None of the records on the file have been created by information volunteered by the public specifically for the purpose of stopping marketing activity. In combination with checks against Government data resources, the collection method ensures that confidence levels for matches are very good. The file also aims to further qualify the accuracy of records by matching date of birth and, where possible, date of death information.

The Ark claim that through tests on live client data files they have consistently managed to identify around 30 per cent additional unique matches when compared to other available deceased suppression services.

This new resource, created through three years of extensive research and collaboration with the contributors, adds a significant volume of previously unrecognisable deceased data to the suppression market. In addition to helping marketers to protect their brand’s public image from association with poor marketing practice, the competitive pricing also means that quick savings can be achieved by reducing campaign volumes. This also improves ROI performance by reducing campaign costs such as print, postage and returns handling.