Submitting an obituary to Pioneer Planet to commemorate a loved one’s life is a straightforward process. This guide provides all the necessary information for placing an obituary, ensuring a respectful and accurate tribute. Please review the details below to prepare your submission effectively.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the obituary placement process, compile the following general information. This will help the Pioneer Planet Obituary desk process your request efficiently.
- Your Full Name: Please provide your complete legal name.
- Address: Include your full address, consisting of City, State, and Zip Code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number for contact purposes.
- Alternate Phone Number: An additional phone number, if available, for contingency.
Obituary Specifications for Pioneer Planet
When drafting your obituary, ensure you include these specific details. Accuracy in these specifications is crucial for the obituary’s content and appearance.
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary itself. This should be carefully written and proofread.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A photograph of the deceased can be included. Preferred formats are JPEG or PDF. TIF and other formats are also accepted, and the obituary desk will contact you if any photo issues arise.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish for the obituary to be published. Pioneer Planet offers discounts for obituaries running for more than one day, which must be scheduled on the first run date to be applied. If a photo is used, it must run on all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed discount information.
Pioneer Planet Obituary Policies and Guidelines
Understanding the policies ensures a smooth submission and publication process. Please take note of the following key policies:
Verification of Death
Pioneer Planet requires verification of death to publish an obituary. You must provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. Pioneer Planet will contact them during business hours to verify the passing. If the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their contact number is required for verification. Please allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours. A death certificate is also acceptable as an alternative to funeral home/cremation society information. Only one of these verification methods is necessary.
Guestbook and External Website Policies
Pioneer Planet does not permit references to external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries. However, you may 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.
Obituary Submission and Proofing Process
Once you submit your obituary, Pioneer Planet will send a proof for your review via fax or email before it is published in the newspaper. This proof will include the obituary content, scheduled publication dates, and the total price. Review this proof meticulously. Any errors or changes must be communicated to Pioneer Planet before the publication deadline for each scheduled day. Pioneer Planet is not responsible for errors after final proofing and publication.
Online Obituary Changes
Any modifications to an online obituary post-publication can be managed through the Pioneer Planet obituary desk. Contact them directly for assistance with online changes.
Payment Procedure and Rates for Pioneer Planet Obituaries
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be completed by the specified deadline in the deadline schedule. After receiving your proof and approving its contents, call 651-228-5263 to provide your payment information.
- Credit Card: Payments via credit card are accepted only by phone due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Payment via check by phone is available. Provide your routing number and account number when you call.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Planet front counter from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Obituary Rate Structure
- Minimum Charge: $162 for the first 10 lines of text.
- Cost Per Additional Line: $12.20 for each line exceeding the initial 10 lines.
- Minimum Line Charge: Even if the obituary is under 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For obituaries running for a second day, the rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published is $125 per day. For instance, publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Example Rate Calculation: For a 20-line obituary on the first run date, the cost would be $164.
Pioneer Planet Obituary Submission Deadlines
Adhering to the deadlines is crucial to ensure your obituary is published on your desired date. 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 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 Different Tribute
Pioneer Planet also offers Memoriam submissions, which are remembrances of loved ones that differ from obituaries. Memoriam rates are different from obituary rates. For more information on placing a memoriam, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The office hours for memoriam inquiries are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and they are closed on weekends and holidays.
For any further questions or to submit your obituary, please email [email protected] or contact the obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
