Creating a lasting tribute for a loved one is a significant step in honoring their memory. The St. Paul Pioneer Press provides a platform to share obituaries with the community, allowing you to announce their passing and celebrate their life. This guide will walk you through the process of placing an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, ensuring a smooth and respectful experience during a difficult time.
How to Place an Obituary with the Pioneer Press
Submitting an obituary to the St. Paul Pioneer Press is a straightforward process primarily handled via email. Please note that online submissions are not available at this time. To begin, compile the following information for your submission:
General Information Needed for Obituary Placement
To process your obituary request efficiently, please include the following personal details in your email:
- Your Full Name:
- Address: (Including City, State, and Zip Code)
- Phone Number:
- Alternate Phone Number: (Optional, but recommended)
This contact information is crucial for the Pioneer Press obituary desk to communicate with you throughout the placement process.
Obituary Specifications: Crafting the Tribute
The heart of your submission is the obituary itself. Please provide the following details to create a meaningful announcement:
- Name of Deceased: (Full name as it should appear in the obituary)
- Obituary Text: (The written tribute you wish to publish. Consider including key life details, achievements, and personal anecdotes)
- Photo (Optional): A JPEG or PDF photo is preferred. TIF and other file formats are also accepted. The obituary desk will contact you if there are any issues with the photo file.
- Desired Run Dates: Specify the dates you would like the obituary to appear in the Pioneer Press.
- Discounts are available for running the obituary 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 discount information.
Key Policies and Guidelines for Obituaries
The St. Paul Pioneer Press has established policies to ensure the integrity and accuracy of published obituaries. Understanding these guidelines will help streamline your submission process.
Verification of Death: Ensuring Accuracy
To maintain accuracy and respect, the Pioneer Press requires verification of death before publishing an obituary. You will need to provide one of the following:
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Contact: 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 death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or similar): If the deceased’s body has been donated to a program like the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program, their phone number is required for verification.
- Death Certificate: A death certificate is also accepted as verification. Only one of these verification methods is necessary.
Please allow sufficient time for verification, especially when submitting near weekend hours or holidays when funeral homes may have limited availability.
Guestbooks and Outside Website References
To maintain editorial consistency within the Pioneer Press obituary section, references to external guestbooks or obituaries published on other media sources are not permitted in print and online obituaries. However, you may include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes. Contact the obituary desk if you have questions about this policy.
Obituary Submission and Process: What to Expect
Once you have compiled your submission, email it to [email protected]. After submission, the Pioneer Press obituary desk will take over to guide you through the remaining steps.
Proofing Process: Reviewing Your Obituary
Upon receiving your submission, the obituary desk will prepare a proof of the obituary and send it to you via fax or email for review before publication. This proof will include the obituary text, photo (if provided), scheduled run dates, and the total price.
It is crucial to review this proof carefully for any errors or necessary changes. Notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections or modifications before the stated daily deadline. Please note that the Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors after final proof approval and publication.
Online Obituary Changes
For any changes needed to an online obituary after publication, please contact the obituary desk directly by phone for assistance.
Payment and Rates for Obituary Placement
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be received by the specified deadline in the deadline schedule.
Payment Methods Accepted
The St. Paul Pioneer Press offers the following payment options:
- Credit Card: For security reasons (PCI compliance), credit card payments are accepted by phone only. Call 651-228-5263 to make a credit card payment.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): You can pay by phone using a check. Provide your routing number and account number when calling.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted in person at the Pioneer Press FRONT COUNTER, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Understanding Obituary Rates
The cost of an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press is based on a line-rate system, with additional charges for photos.
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (After 10 Lines): For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is $12.20.
- Second Run Date Discount: For obituaries running on a second day, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Example: A 20-line obituary on the first run date would cost $164.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published with the obituary is $125 per day.
- Example: Publishing two photos for two days would result in four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines for Obituary Submissions
Adhering to the deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary is published on the requested day. Please note that these deadlines are strict and 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, the St. Paul Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam notices. These are remembrances of loved ones who have passed and are separate from traditional obituaries. Rates and details for Memoriam submissions differ from obituaries.
For information about placing a Memoriam, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The Memoriam desk is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed weekends and holidays).
Contact Information for Obituaries and Memoriams
For any questions regarding obituaries, please contact the obituary desk at 651-228-5263 or email [email protected]. For Memoriam inquiries, call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
Placing an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press is a meaningful way to announce the passing of a loved one and share their life story with the wider community. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a respectful and accurate tribute to their memory.
