The Pioneer Press in St. Paul, Minnesota, serves as a vital platform for families to announce the passing of loved ones and share their legacies with the community. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to place an obituary in the Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and accurate announcement.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the obituary placement process, you will need to compile some general information for Pioneer Press’s records. Please ensure you have the following details ready when you submit your request:
- Your Full Name: This is for contact purposes regarding the obituary.
- Address: Include your City, State, and Zip Code for mailing and record-keeping.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: Providing a secondary phone number is helpful for ensuring timely communication.
Detailing the Obituary Specifications
The core of your submission will be the obituary details themselves. Accuracy and completeness are key to ensure the published obituary reflects your wishes. Please prepare the following obituary specifications:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person who has passed away, as it should appear in the obituary.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary. This can include biographical information, details about their life, surviving family members, funeral service arrangements, and more.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph of the deceased can be a meaningful addition. Pioneer Press prefers JPEG or PDF files for photos, 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 multiple days is possible, and discounts are available for multi-day runs scheduled from the outset. If you choose to include a photo, it must run on all publication days to qualify for the discount. Contact Pioneer Press for detailed pricing information on multi-day runs and photo discounts.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Ensuring Accuracy and Respect
Pioneer Press has established policies to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of all published obituaries. Understanding these policies will streamline the submission process.
Verification of Death
To uphold the integrity of obituary announcements, Pioneer Press requires verification of death. You will need to provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. Pioneer Press will contact them during their business hours to verify the passing. Alternatively, if the deceased’s body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their contact information can be provided for verification.
Allow ample time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral homes or cremation societies may have limited availability. A death certificate is also accepted as verification, but only one of these verification methods is necessary.
Guidelines for Guestbooks and External Websites
Pioneer Press obituaries aim to be a self-contained announcement. Therefore, referencing external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries is not permitted in the print and online versions. However, you can include the website address for the funeral home or a family email address for those seeking further contact or information. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk for clarification.
The Obituary Submission Process at Pioneer Press
Submitting an obituary to the Pioneer Press involves a straightforward process designed to ensure accuracy and satisfaction.
Once you have submitted all the required information, Pioneer Press will prepare a proof of the obituary and send it to you via fax or email for review. This proof will include the obituary text, photo (if provided), scheduled publication dates, and the total cost.
Carefully review the proof for any errors or necessary changes. It is crucial to notify Pioneer Press of any corrections before the stated daily deadlines to ensure accuracy in the Pioneer Press publication. Please note that Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors discovered after final proofing and publication.
For online obituaries, changes can be made after publication by contacting the obituary desk directly.
Payment Information and Rates for Pioneer Press Obituaries
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the specified deadline outlined in the deadline schedule. Contact 651-228-5263 with your payment information after you have received and approved the obituary proof.
Payment Procedures
Pioneer Press offers several convenient payment options:
- Credit Card: For security reasons and PCI compliance, credit card payments are accepted by phone only.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): You can pay by phone using a check. Please have your routing number and account number ready.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Understanding Obituary Rates
Pioneer Press obituary rates are structured based on the length of the obituary and the inclusion of photos.
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Line Rate: For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20. If the obituary is less than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 still applies.
- Multi-Day Run Line Rate: For the second and subsequent days of publication, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary running for the first day would cost $164 (after the minimum 10 lines).
- Photo Charge: Each photo published incurs a charge of $125 per day. For instance, publishing two photos for two days would result in a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Deadlines for Obituary Submission to Pioneer Press
Adhering to the deadlines is crucial to ensure your obituary is published on the desired date. Pioneer Press enforces strict deadlines without 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 4:30PM. Make changes by 5:00PM | Must receive photo(s) by 4:30PM |
| SATURDAYS 10:00AM – 2:00PM | Sunday Publication | Must receive obituary content and payment same day by 1:30PM. Make changes by 2:00PM | Must receive photo(s) by 1:30PM |
| SUNDAYS 12:00PM – 3:00PM | Monday Publication | Must receive obituary content, payment, and final changes same day by 2:30PM | Must receive photo(s) by 2:30PM |
Memoriam Notices: Remembering Loved Ones
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press also publishes Memoriam notices. These submissions are remembrances of a loved one who has passed and are distinct from obituaries. Memoriam rates differ from obituary rates.
For more information on placing a Memoriam notice, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The Memoriam department is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed on weekends and holidays.
For any questions regarding obituary placement, please contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263 or email [email protected].
