Losing a loved one is a deeply personal and challenging experience. Announcing their passing and celebrating their life through an obituary is a time-honored tradition. The St. Paul Pioneer Press obituaries section serves as a vital community resource in St. Paul, MN, providing a respectful platform to share announcements and remembrances. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of how to place obituaries in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, ensuring a smooth and dignified process during a difficult time.
Submitting Your Obituary to the Pioneer Press
The St. Paul Pioneer Press makes submitting an obituary straightforward. While there isn’t an online submission portal, you can easily place an obituary by emailing the dedicated obituaries desk.
To place an obituary, email [email protected] with the following information. For any queries, you can contact their obituary desk directly at 651-228-5263.
Information Checklist for Obituary Submission
To ensure all necessary details are included for your St. Paul Pioneer Press obituary, please provide the following:
- Your Contact Information:
- Full Name
- Address (City, State, Zip Code)
- Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (optional)
Obituary Specifications
Providing clear specifications ensures your obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press accurately reflects your wishes.
- Deceased’s Information:
- Full Name of the Deceased
- Complete Obituary Text – This should encompass the details you wish to share about the deceased’s life, achievements, and loved ones.
- Photograph (Optional but Recommended):
- Submit a photo in JPEG or PDF format for best results. TIF and other formats are also accepted. The Pioneer Press will contact you if there are any issues with the photo file. Including a photo significantly enhances the obituary and provides a visual remembrance.
- Publication Dates:
- Specify the desired dates for your obituary to run in the Pioneer Press.
- Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this discount, the schedule must be set on the first run date.
- If you choose to include a photo, it must be included on all run dates to qualify for the multi-day discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing information regarding multiple-day runs and photo inclusion.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Ensuring Accuracy and Respect
The St. Paul Pioneer Press has specific policies in place to maintain the integrity and accuracy of their obituary section.
Verification of Death
To publish an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, verification of death is mandatory. You will need to provide either:
- Funeral Home or Cremation Society Contact: The name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. The Pioneer Press will contact them during their business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or Similar): If the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their contact information is required for verification.
- Death Certificate: A death certificate is also accepted as verification. Only one of these verification methods is necessary.
Please ensure you provide this information to avoid delays in publishing the obituary, especially during weekend submissions when funeral home hours may be limited.
Guestbooks and External Websites
To maintain the focus on the St. Paul Pioneer Press obituary section as the primary resource, references to external guestbooks or obituaries hosted on other platforms are not permitted within the printed and online obituary. However, you may include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes. Clarify any specific requirements regarding external links with the obituary desk.
The Obituary Placement Process: From Submission to Publication
Placing an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press involves a clear and supportive process.
- Submission and Proofing: Once you submit your obituary, the Pioneer Press will email or fax you a proof for review before publication. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total cost.
- Careful Review is Crucial: Thoroughly review the proof for any errors or necessary changes. It is your responsibility to notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections before the daily publication deadline.
- Post-Publication Responsibility: The Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors identified after the final proof approval and subsequent publication.
Online Obituary Amendments
For any changes needed to an online obituary after publication, contact the obituary desk directly. They can assist with online modifications.
Understanding Obituary Costs and Payment in the Pioneer Press
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 to provide your payment information after you have received the proof and approved the obituary content.
Rates and Charges for Obituaries
Understanding the rate structure helps in planning for St. Paul Pioneer Press obituaries:
- Minimum Charge: $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (After 10 Lines): $12.20 for each additional line beyond the initial 10.
- Minimum Line Charge: Even if your obituary is less than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For obituaries running on a second day, the line rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Example: For a 20-line obituary on the first run date, the cost would be $164.
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo, per day of publication.
- Example: Publishing two photos for two days would incur a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Payment Methods Accepted
The St. Paul Pioneer Press offers convenient payment options:
- Credit Card: Accepted via phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Check by phone. Provide your routing number and account number.
- Cash: Accepted at the FRONT COUNTER, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Deadlines for Obituary Submission: Timely Placement
Adhering to deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary appears in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on your desired date.
| 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: A Lasting Remembrance
In addition to obituaries, the St. Paul Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam notices. These are remembrances of loved ones who have passed, published separately from traditional obituaries and with different rates.
For information on Memoriam notices, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. Memoriam services are available Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed weekends and holidays).
By following this guide, you can confidently navigate the process of placing obituaries in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, ensuring a dignified and respectful tribute to your loved one within the St. Paul, MN community.
