Submitting an obituary to the Pioneer Press to honor a loved one’s memory is a straightforward process when you have the right information. Pioneer Press provides a dedicated service to help you publish obituaries both in print and online. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring your submission is accurate and timely.
General Information Needed for Your Pioneer Press Obit Submission
To begin the process of placing a Pioneer Press Obit, you will need to compile some general information for contact purposes. Please include the following details in your email to [email protected]:
- Your Full Name: Provide your complete first and last name.
- Address: Include your full postal address, specifying city, state, and zip code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number where you can be reached.
- Alternate Phone Number: If available, provide a secondary phone number for contact.
For any immediate questions or assistance, you can directly contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
Crafting Your Pioneer Press Obituary Specification
The core of your submission is the obituary specification itself. Here’s what you need to prepare for your Pioneer Press obit:
- Deceased’s Full Name: Clearly state the full name of the deceased.
- Obituary Text: Write the obituary text as you would like it to appear. Be sure to proofread for any errors.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): Adding a photo enhances the obituary. Pioneer Press prefers JPEG or PDF files for photos. TIF and other file formats are also accepted, and they will contact you if there are any issues with your submitted photo.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to run. Pioneer Press offers discounts for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this discount, the schedule must be set on the first run date. If you include a photo, it must be used on both days to qualify for the discount. Contact Pioneer Press for detailed pricing information.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Verification and Guidelines
Pioneer Press has specific policies to ensure the integrity and accuracy of published obituaries.
Verification of Death
To publish an obituary, Pioneer Press requires verification of death. You must provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. Pioneer Press will contact them during business hours to verify the death. Alternatively, if the deceased body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their phone number can be provided for verification.
Please allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral homes may have limited availability. A death certificate is also acceptable as verification, but only one of these two options is necessary.
Guestbook and External Website Policies
When placing a Pioneer Press obit, you cannot reference guestbooks or obituaries placed on other media sources in the print and online versions. However, you can include a website for a funeral home or a family email address for contact. Contact Pioneer Press if you have specific questions regarding this policy.
The Pioneer Press Obituary Submission Process
Once you have submitted all required information, Pioneer Press will send you a proof of the obituary via fax or email for your review before it is published in the newspaper. This proof will include the price and the scheduled publication dates.
Review the proof very carefully for any errors or necessary changes. Notify Pioneer Press of any corrections before the stated deadlines to ensure accuracy in the Pioneer Press publication. Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors discovered after final proofing and publication.
Changes to online obituaries can be managed by contacting the obituary desk directly. Call them for any online modifications.
Pioneer Press Obituary Payment Procedures and Rates
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before publication and must be completed by the specified deadline. After you receive and approve the proof, call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Pioneer Press accepts the following payment methods:
- Credit Card: Accepted via phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Payment via phone check. Provide your routing number and account number.
- Cash: Accepted at their front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Pioneer Press Obituary Rates
Understanding the rates is crucial for budgeting your Pioneer Press obit.
- Minimum Charge: $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line: $12.20 for each line after the initial 10 lines.
- Ads Under 10 Lines: Still charged the minimum rate of $162.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo per day of publication.
For example, an obituary running for 20 lines on the first day would cost $164. Publishing two photos in the paper for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Pioneer Press Obituary Deadlines
Meeting deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary is published on your desired day. Here is the deadline schedule for Pioneer Press obits:
| 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 Submissions to Pioneer Press
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press also accepts Memoriam submissions. These are remembrances for loved ones who have passed, and the rates differ from standard obituaries. For more information on placing a memoriam, please contact Pioneer Press directly.
For memoriam inquiries, please email [email protected] or call 651-228-5280. The hours for memoriam services are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed weekends and holidays).
By following this comprehensive guide, you can confidently submit a Pioneer Press obit and ensure your loved one is respectfully remembered.
