Losing a loved one is a deeply personal and challenging experience. Announcing their passing with dignity and respect is an important step in the grieving process. The Pioneer Press, serving the St. Paul and surrounding Minnesota communities, provides a trusted platform to publish obituaries, ensuring your announcement reaches the local audience. This guide will walk you through the process of placing an obituary in the Pioneer Press, making it as straightforward as possible during this sensitive time.
General Information Needed for Obituary Submission
To begin the process of placing an obituary, you will need to compile some essential information. This ensures the Pioneer Press obituary desk can efficiently process your request and contact you if needed. Please include the following details in your email to [email protected]:
- Your Full Name: This is for contact purposes regarding the obituary placement.
- Address: Please provide your full address including City, State, and Zip Code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: If available, please provide an alternate phone number as well.
Obituary Specifications: Crafting the Announcement
The obituary itself is a tribute to your loved one’s life. When preparing the obituary text and related materials, keep the following specifications in mind:
- Name of Deceased: Clearly state the full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: Compose the obituary text as you wish it to appear in print and online.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph can personalize the obituary. The preferred format is JPEG or PDF. TIF and other file formats are also accepted, and the obituary desk 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 can be cost-effective. A discount is available for multiple-day runs, but this must be scheduled when you initially place the obituary for the first run date. If you include a photo, it must be used on all run dates to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing information on multiple-day runs and photo discounts.
Verification and Policies
To maintain the integrity and accuracy of the obituaries published, the Pioneer Press has specific verification policies in place. Please review these guidelines:
Verification of Death
The Pioneer Press requires verification of death to publish an obituary. You will need to provide either:
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Contact Information: Include the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. The Pioneer Press obituary desk will contact them during their business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or similar): If the deceased donated their body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, please provide their phone number for verification.
Allow sufficient time for verification, especially if submitting during weekend hours when funeral homes may have limited availability. While a death certificate is also acceptable for verification, providing funeral home or similar contact information is generally sufficient.
Guestbook and External Links Policy
To ensure a consistent and respectful presentation, obituaries in the Pioneer Press cannot directly reference guestbooks or obituaries placed on external media sources. 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, please contact the obituary desk for clarification.
The Obituary Submission Process
Once you have prepared your obituary submission, the process is designed to be efficient and allow for review before publication:
- Proof Review: After you submit your obituary, the Pioneer Press obituary desk will send you a proof via fax or email for your review. This proof will include the obituary text, photo (if provided), scheduled run dates, and the total price.
- Careful Review is Essential: Please review the proof very carefully for any errors or necessary changes. It is crucial to notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections before the publication deadline for each day’s newspaper.
- Post-Publication Responsibility: The Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors that appear after final proofing and publication.
Online Obituary Changes
For any changes to an obituary once it is published online, please contact the obituary desk directly by phone for assistance.
Payment Information and Rates
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the specified deadline in the deadline schedule. After you receive and approve the proof, call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
- Credit Card Payment: Credit card payments are accepted by phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Check by Phone): You can pay by providing your routing number and account number over the phone.
- Cash Payment: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Rates:
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (After 10 Lines): Each line after the initial 10 lines is $12.20. Obituaries under 10 lines are still charged the minimum rate.
- Second Run Date Discount: For a second run date, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting with the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary on the first day would cost $164.
- Photo Charge: Each photo published is $125 per day. For example, publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines for Obituary Submission
Adhering to the deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary is published on your requested day. Please note that these deadlines are strictly enforced.
| Hours | Deadline (no exceptions) | Ad | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00AM – 5:00 PM | Next Day Publication | Must receive obituary content and payment on the 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 on the 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 on the same day by 2:30 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 2:30 PM |
Memoriam Announcements – Remembering Loved Ones
In addition to obituaries, the Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam announcements. These are remembrances of a loved one who has passed and are distinct from obituaries in rates and format. For information regarding Memoriam announcements, please contact the Pioneer Press directly.
- Phone (Memoriam Inquiries): 651-228-5280
- Email (Memoriam Submissions): [email protected]
- Hours (Memoriam Desk): Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays)
Placing an obituary in the Pioneer Press is a meaningful way to announce and commemorate the life of someone special. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a smooth and respectful process. For any further questions or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
