Losing a loved one is a deeply personal and challenging experience. Announcing their passing in a respected publication like the St. Paul Pioneer Press can be a meaningful way to share news of their life and legacy with the community. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to place an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, ensuring a smooth and respectful process during a difficult time.
Submitting Your Obituary to the Pioneer Press
The St. Paul Pioneer Press makes submitting an obituary straightforward. Currently, the primary method for submission is via email.
Email Submission:
To place an obituary, compile the necessary information as outlined below and send it to [email protected].
Phone Inquiries:
If you have any questions or require assistance, the obituary desk is available at 651-228-5263.
Essential Information for Your Obituary Submission
To ensure your obituary is processed efficiently, please include the following details in your submission:
General Contact Information:
- Your Full Name: Provide your complete name for contact purposes.
- Address: Include your full address (City, State, Zip Code).
- Phone Number: A primary phone number where you can be reached.
- Alternate Phone Number: (Optional) An additional phone number for contact.
Obituary Specifics:
- Deceased’s Full Name: The complete name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary itself.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A photograph of the deceased to accompany the obituary. JPEG or PDF files are preferred, but other formats like TIF are also accepted. The Pioneer Press team will contact you if there are any issues with the photo file.
- Desired Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish for the obituary to be published.
- Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of these discounts, the schedule must be set on the first run date.
- If you choose to include a photo, it must run on all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed information on multi-day discounts.
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, verification of death is mandatory. 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.
- Alternative Verification: If the deceased’s body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, you can provide their phone number for verification.
- Death Certificate: A death certificate is also accepted as verification, serving as an alternative to funeral home/cremation society confirmation. Only one form of verification is required.
- Time Considerations: Please allow sufficient time for verification, especially if contacting funeral homes during weekend hours when their availability might be limited.
Guidelines Regarding Guestbooks and External Websites:
When placing an obituary in the Pioneer Press, references to external guestbooks or obituaries published on other platforms are not permitted. However, you can include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have questions about this policy, please contact the obituary desk for clarification.
The Obituary Placement Process: From Submission to Publication
Understanding the obituary process can help ensure a timely and accurate publication.
Proof Review:
Once you submit your obituary, the Pioneer Press will send you a proof via fax or email for your review before it is published. This proof will include the obituary text, the scheduled publication dates, and the total cost.
Careful Review is Crucial:
It is essential to carefully review the proof for any errors or necessary changes. Notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections or modifications before the stated daily deadlines.
Post-Publication Responsibility:
After publication, the St. Paul Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors that were present in the final proofed version. Therefore, meticulous review before final approval is highly recommended.
Online Obituary Changes:
For any changes to an online obituary after publication, please contact the obituary desk directly for assistance.
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 in the schedule. You will need to call 651-228-5263 with your payment information after you have received and approved the proof.
Payment Methods:
- Credit Card: Credit card payments are accepted over the phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- 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 to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Obituary Rates:
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge is $162 for obituaries up to 10 lines.
- Line Rate (Over 10 Lines): For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20.
- Obituaries Under 10 Lines: Even if the obituary is shorter than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For obituaries running for a second day, the line rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Example: For a 20-line obituary running for the first time, the cost would be $164.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published costs $125 per day.
- Example: Publishing two photos in the paper for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines for Obituary Submission: Ensure Timely Publication
Adhering to the deadlines is crucial to ensure your obituary is published on your desired date.
| Hours | Deadline (No Exceptions) | Ad | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00AM – 5:00 PM | Next Day Publication | Obituary content and payment must be received on the same day by 4:30 PM. Changes can be made until 5:00 PM | Photo(s) must be received by 4:30 PM |
| SATURDAYS 10:00AM – 2:00PM | Sunday Publication | Obituary content and payment must be received on the same day by 1:30 PM. Changes can be made until 2:00 PM | Photo(s) must be received by 1:30 PM |
| SUNDAYS 12:00PM – 3:00PM | Monday Publication | Obituary content, payment, and final changes must be received on the same day by 2:30 PM | Photo(s) must be received by 2:30 PM |
Memoriam Submissions: Remembering Beyond the Obituary
In addition to obituaries, the St. Paul Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam submissions. Memoriams are remembrances of loved ones who have passed, but they differ from traditional obituaries and have different rates.
For more information about Memoriam submissions, please contact the Pioneer Press directly at 651-228-5280 or via email at [email protected].
Memoriam Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays).
By following this guide, you can confidently navigate the process of placing an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and timely tribute to your loved one.
