Placing an obituary in the Pioneer Press newspaper requires following a specific process to ensure timely publication and accuracy. This guide outlines everything you need to know to submit an obituary, from gathering necessary information to understanding deadlines and costs. For those wishing to announce the passing of a loved one in a reputable publication, understanding the process for Pioneer Press newspaper obituaries is crucial.
General Information Needed for Obituary Submission
To begin the process of placing Pioneer Press newspaper obituaries, you will need to compile some general contact information. This information is essential for Pioneer Press to communicate with you throughout the obituary placement process. Please ensure you have the following details ready when you contact the obituary desk:
- Your Full Name
- Address (City, State, Zip Code)
- Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (optional)
This contact information will allow the Pioneer Press obituary team to reach you for proofing, payment, and any necessary clarifications regarding the obituary.
Obituary Specifications
When preparing your Pioneer Press newspaper obituaries submission, specific details about the deceased and your preferences are required. Providing this information upfront will streamline the submission process. Here’s what you need to specify:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary. Prepare this text in advance, ensuring it includes all the details you wish to share.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph of the deceased can be included. Pioneer Press prefers JPEG or PDF files for photos, but TIF and other formats are also accepted. If there are any issues with the photo format, the obituary desk will contact you.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you want the obituary to appear in the Pioneer Press. Running the obituary for multiple days is possible, and discounts are available for multi-day runs scheduled on the first run date. If you choose to include a photo, it must run on all publication days to qualify for the discount. Contact Pioneer Press for detailed information on multi-day discounts.
Verification Policies for Pioneer Press Newspaper Obituaries
Pioneer Press has strict policies in place to verify the passing of an individual before publishing obituaries. This ensures the accuracy and integrity of their Pioneer Newspaper Obituaries section. To meet these verification requirements, you must 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. Pioneer Press will contact them during their business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or similar): If the deceased’s body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, provide their phone number for verification.
Allow sufficient time for verification, especially if contacting funeral homes during weekend hours when their availability might be limited. While a death certificate is also acceptable, providing funeral home or cremation society details is usually more efficient for the verification process.
Guestbook and External Website Policies
Pioneer Press has specific guidelines regarding references to external websites or media sources within Pioneer newspaper obituaries. To maintain the focus on their publication and avoid directing readers elsewhere, the following policies are in place:
- No Guestbook References: You cannot include references to online guestbooks hosted on other platforms.
- Limited External Links: References to obituaries placed on other websites are not permitted.
- Acceptable Alternatives: You may include the website address for the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have questions about this policy, it is best to contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk for clarification.
Obituary Submission and Proofing Process
Submitting your obituary to Pioneer Press is a straightforward process designed to ensure accuracy and satisfaction. After you have prepared your obituary details, here’s what you can expect:
- Submission via Email: Send your obituary information, including the checklist items mentioned earlier, to [email protected]. Currently, Pioneer Press does not offer an online submission option through their website.
- Proof Review: Once your submission is received, Pioneer Press will email or fax you a proof for review before the obituary is published. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total price.
- Careful Review is Crucial: Thoroughly review the proof for any errors or necessary changes. Notify Pioneer Press of any corrections before the publication deadline for your chosen dates. Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors discovered after publication if they were present in the final proof you approved.
Online Obituary Changes
While the initial submission and publication process is handled primarily via email and phone, Pioneer Press provides support for managing online obituaries after they are published.
- Contact Obituary Desk for Online Changes: If you need to make any changes to the online version of the obituary after it has been published, contact the obituary desk directly by phone for assistance.
Payment Procedures for Pioneer Press Newspaper Obituaries
Pre-payment is required for all Pioneer Press newspaper obituaries before they are published. Payment must be made by the specified deadline to ensure timely publication. After you receive and approve the obituary proof, you will need to arrange payment. Pioneer Press offers the following payment methods:
- Credit Card (Phone Only): Credit card payments are accepted over the phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations. Call 651-228-5263 to make a credit card payment.
- EFT (Check by Phone): You can pay by electronic funds transfer (EFT) using a check by phone service. You will need to provide your routing number and account number.
- Cash (Front Counter): Cash payments are accepted in person at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Please note that payment must be completed before the publication deadline outlined in the deadline schedule.
Pioneer Press Newspaper Obituaries Rates
Understanding the rate structure for Pioneer Press newspaper obituaries is essential for budgeting purposes. The pricing is based on the length of the obituary and whether you include a photograph. Here’s a breakdown of the rates:
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (After First 10 Lines): For obituaries longer than 10 lines, each additional line costs $12.20. If the obituary is less than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 still applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For the second day of publication, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published costs $125 per day. For example, if you run two photos for two days, the total photo charge would be $500 (4 photo placements x $125).
For example, a 20-line obituary running for one day would cost $164. This is calculated as the minimum charge for the first 10 lines ($162) plus $2.40 for the additional 10 lines (10 lines x $0.24 – Correction: Example calculation in original article seems incorrect, should be $162 + (10 lines $12.20) = $284*). For accurate pricing, always confirm with the Pioneer Press obituary desk.
Deadlines for Pioneer Press Newspaper Obituaries
Meeting the deadlines is critical to ensure your Pioneer Press newspaper obituaries are published on your desired dates. Pioneer Press has specific deadlines for obituary submissions, photo submissions, and changes, depending on the day of the week and the desired publication date. Note that these deadlines are strict and must be adhered to.
| 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 refer to this table carefully when planning your obituary submission to Pioneer Press.
Memoriam (Non-Obituary) Requests
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam submissions, which are remembrances of a loved one who has passed but are distinct from formal Pioneer newspaper obituaries. If you are interested in placing a memoriam, note the following:
- Different from Obituaries: Memoriams serve as remembrances rather than formal death announcements.
- Different Rates: The rates for memoriam submissions are different from obituary rates.
- Contact for Memoriam Information: For more information on placing a memoriam, including rates and submission guidelines, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
The hours for memoriam inquiries are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Please note that the memoriam desk is closed on weekends and holidays.
By following this comprehensive guide, you can effectively navigate the process of placing Pioneer Press newspaper obituaries and ensure a respectful and accurate announcement for your loved one. For any further questions or assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk directly.
