Submitting an obituary to the Pioneer Press requires careful attention to detail to ensure your loved one’s announcement is published accurately and timely. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the process, requirements, and policies for placing obituaries with the Minnesota Pioneer Press.
General Information for Obituary Submissions
When you are ready to submit an obituary, the Pioneer Press requests specific general information to facilitate the process. Please compile the following details and include them in your email to [email protected]. For any immediate questions, you can also contact their obituary desk directly at 651-228-5263.
The necessary general information includes:
- Your Full Name: Provide your complete first and last name.
- Address: Include your full address, specifying city, state, and zip code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number where you can be reached.
- Alternate Phone Number: If available, provide a secondary phone number as well.
This information ensures the Pioneer Press can contact you efficiently throughout the obituary placement process.
Obituary Specifications: Essential Details
To draft the obituary itself, you will need to provide the following specifications. Accuracy and completeness in this section are crucial for a respectful and informative announcement in the Minnesota Pioneer Press obituaries section.
The required obituary specifications are:
- Deceased’s Full Name: Clearly state the full name of the deceased.
- Obituary Text: Prepare the text of the obituary. This should include biographical details, achievements, surviving family members, and funeral or memorial service information.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A photograph of the deceased adds a personal touch. Pioneer Press prefers JPEG or PDF files, but TIF and other formats are also accepted. They will contact you if there are any issues with the photo file.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to be published. Running the obituary for more than one day qualifies for a discount, which must be scheduled at the time of the initial run date. If a photo is used, it must run for all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing information on multiple-day runs and photo inclusion.
Including these specifications in your initial submission will streamline the obituary placement process with the Pioneer Press.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Verification and Guidelines
The Pioneer Press has specific policies in place to ensure the integrity and accuracy of their obituaries. Understanding these policies is important for a smooth submission process.
Verification of Death
To publish an obituary in the Minnesota Pioneer Press, verification of death is mandatory. You must provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. The Pioneer Press obituary desk will contact them during business hours to verify the death. Alternatively, if the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their phone number can be provided for verification.
Allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral homes may have limited availability. While a death certificate is also acceptable for verification, providing funeral home or donation program contact information is generally more efficient for the Pioneer Press verification process.
Guestbooks and External Websites
Pioneer Press policy restricts referencing guestbooks or obituaries placed on other media sources within their print and online obituaries. However, you can include a website for the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have questions about this policy and how it applies to your obituary, it’s best to contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk directly for clarification.
Obituary Submission Process with the Pioneer Press
Once you’ve submitted all the necessary information to [email protected], the Pioneer Press obituary process moves to the review and proofing stage.
Proof Review
After submission, the Pioneer Press will fax or email you a proof of the obituary for your review before it is published in the newspaper and online. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total price.
Alt text: The iconic Pioneer Press building in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, home to the newspaper’s offices and obituary services.
It is crucial to review this proof carefully for any errors or necessary changes. Notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections before the stated deadline for each publication day. Be aware that after publication, the Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors that were present in the final proofed version.
Online Obituary Amendments
Changes to an obituary once it is published online can be made by contacting the obituary desk. Call them directly to handle any amendments to the online version of the obituary.
Payment Procedures for Pioneer Press Obituaries
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be completed by the specified deadline outlined in the deadline schedule. After you have received and approved the proof, call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
The Pioneer Press accepts the following payment methods:
- Credit Card: Payments via credit card are accepted over the phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) / Check by Phone: You can pay by providing your routing number and account number over the phone.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted in person at their front counter, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Ensure your payment is processed by the deadline to guarantee timely publication of the obituary in the Minnesota Pioneer Press.
Obituary Rates at Pioneer Press
Understanding the rate structure is essential for budgeting for your obituary placement in the Pioneer Press.
The current rates are structured as follows:
- Minimum Charge: $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line (after 10 lines): $12.20 per line.
- Ads Under 10 Lines: Still charged the minimum rate of $162.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary on the first day would cost $164.
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo, per day. For example, publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
These rates are subject to change, so it is always best to confirm current pricing when you contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk.
Deadlines for Obituary Submissions
Adhering to the Pioneer Press deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary is published on your desired date. Strict deadlines are in place with no exceptions.
| Hours | Deadline (No Exceptions) | Ad | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00AM – 5:00 PM | Next Day Publication | Must receive obituary content and payment same day by 4:30 PM. Make changes by 5:00 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 4:30 PM |
| SATURDAYS 10:00AM – 2:00PM | Sunday Publication | Must receive obituary content and payment same day by 1:30 PM. Make changes by 2:00 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 1:30 PM |
| SUNDAYS 12:00PM – 3:00PM | Monday Publication | Must receive obituary content, payment, and final changes same day by 2:30 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 2:30 PM |
Ensure all content, photos, and payments are submitted before the respective deadlines to guarantee publication in the Minnesota Pioneer Press.
Memoriam Submissions (Non-Obituary)
In addition to obituaries, the Pioneer Press also publishes Memoriam submissions. These are remembrances for loved ones who have passed and are distinct from obituaries. The rates and submission process for memoriams differ.
Alt text: A poignant candlelight vigil in Minneapolis, Minnesota, symbolizing remembrance and reflection, relevant to memoriam and obituary announcements.
For more information on memoriam submissions, including rates and how to place them, please contact the Pioneer Press directly at 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The hours for memoriam inquiries are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed weekends and holidays).
By following this guide, you can effectively navigate the process of submitting obituaries to the Minnesota Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and accurate announcement for your loved one. Remember to contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk for any specific questions or clarifications throughout the submission process.
