Losing a loved one is a profoundly difficult experience. Amidst the grief, announcing their passing with dignity and respect is crucial. For families in the Pioneer Press readership area, publishing an obituary in the Pioneer Press provides a time-honored way to share news of a death and celebrate a life lived. This guide offers a detailed walkthrough on how to place a Pioneer Press Obituary, ensuring the process is as smooth and respectful as possible during a sensitive time.
Essential Information for Your Pioneer Press Obituary Submission
To begin the process of placing your pioneer press obituary, you will need to compile some general information to facilitate your submission. The Pioneer Press obituary desk requires the following details for all inquiries:
- 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: Providing an additional phone number ensures that the Pioneer Press can reach you if needed.
This general contact information is essential for the Pioneer Press team to process your obituary request efficiently.
Crafting Your Pioneer Press Obituary: Key Specifications
Once you have gathered your contact details, the next step is to prepare the specifics of the pioneer press obituary itself. The following information is needed to create the obituary as you envision it:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: This is the main body of the obituary, where you share details about the deceased’s life, achievements, and surviving family.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph of the deceased can be a meaningful addition to the obituary. The preferred format is JPEG or PDF, but TIF and other file types are also accepted. The Pioneer Press team will contact you if there are any issues with your submitted photo.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you would like the obituary to appear in the Pioneer Press.
- Multiple Day Run Discount: The Pioneer Press offers discounts for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this discount, the multiple-day run must be scheduled on the initial run date. If you choose to include a photo, it must also 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.
Providing these specifications clearly will help ensure your pioneer press obituary is published accurately and according to your wishes.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Verification and Guidelines
The Pioneer Press has specific policies in place to maintain the integrity and accuracy of their obituaries. Understanding these policies is important for a smooth submission process.
Verification of Death
To ensure the authenticity of every pioneer press obituary, the 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. The Pioneer Press obituary desk will contact them during 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 phone number can be provided for verification.
While a death certificate is also acceptable for verification purposes, only one of these two verification methods is necessary. It is crucial to allow sufficient time for the Pioneer Press to contact the funeral home or relevant institution, especially during weekends when their hours may be limited.
Guestbook and External Website Policies
When placing a pioneer press obituary, it is important to note the policy regarding external references. The Pioneer Press does not allow references to other media sources that host a guestbook or another obituary. However, you can include the website of the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have any questions regarding this policy, it is best to contact the obituary desk directly for clarification.
Submitting Your Pioneer Press Obituary: The Process
Submitting your pioneer press obituary is primarily done via email. Follow these steps to ensure your submission is complete:
- Email Submission: Send an email to [email protected] with all the required information outlined in the “General Information” and “Obituary Specification” sections.
- Proof Review: Once your submission is received and processed, the Pioneer Press will send you a proof of the obituary via fax or email for your review. This proof will include the total price and the scheduled publication dates.
- Careful Proofreading: It is crucial to review the proof meticulously for any errors or necessary changes. Notify the Pioneer Press obituary desk of any corrections before the daily deadlines to ensure accuracy in the published obituary.
- Post-Publication Error Responsibility: Please be aware that the Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors that are present after the final proof has been approved by the submitter.
Pioneer Press Obituary Costs and Payment Procedures
Understanding the costs and payment procedures is a key part of placing a pioneer press obituary.
Rates and Charges
- Minimum Charge: The base cost for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (After 10 Lines): Each line exceeding the initial 10 lines is charged at $12.20 per line.
- Minimum Rate Application: Even if your obituary is shorter than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 still applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For obituaries running on a second day, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Photo Charges: Including a photo with the obituary incurs a charge of $125 per photo, per day of publication. For example, using two photos for two days would result in a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Payment Methods
Pre-payment is mandatory for all pioneer press obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the specified deadline in the deadline schedule. Contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263 with your payment information after you have received and approved the obituary proof.
- Credit Card: Payments via credit card are accepted over the 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: Cash payments are accepted in person at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Pioneer Press Obituary Deadlines
Adhering to the deadlines is critical to ensure your pioneer press obituary is published on your desired date. The following table outlines the deadlines for obituary submissions:
| 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 |
Please note that these deadlines are strict and must be followed to guarantee publication on the requested day.
Memoriam Submissions: Remembering a Loved One
In addition to obituaries, the Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam submissions. Memoriams are distinct from obituaries as they are remembrances of a loved one who has already passed, rather than announcements of a recent death. The rates and submission process for memoriam ads are different from obituaries.
For more information on placing a memoriam, please contact the Pioneer Press at 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The memoriam desk is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on weekends and holidays.
Conclusion
Placing a pioneer press obituary is a meaningful way to announce the passing of a loved one and share their life story with the community. By following this comprehensive guide and preparing all necessary information, specifications, and adhering to the Pioneer Press policies and deadlines, you can ensure a respectful and accurate tribute to your loved one in their publication. For any further assistance or questions, do not hesitate to contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263 or via email at [email protected].
