When commemorating the life of a loved one, publishing an obituary in a reputable newspaper like the Pioneer Press is a time-honored tradition. This guide provides you with comprehensive information on how to both search for obituaries and place an obituary in the Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and accurate tribute.
Searching for Pioneer Press Obituaries
While the Pioneer Press may not have a dedicated online obituary search portal directly linked from their main website based on the original article’s information, you can still effectively search for obituaries. Here are some recommended approaches:
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Utilize General Search Engines: Use search engines like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Enter specific search terms such as:
- “Pioneer Press obituaries”
- “Obituaries Pioneer Press [Name of Deceased]”
- “Pioneer Press obituary search [Date Range]”
- “St. Paul obituaries Pioneer Press”
These searches may lead you to obituary listings on the Pioneer Press website or through partner platforms that archive obituaries from various newspapers.
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Contact the Pioneer Press Directly: For specific obituary inquiries or if online searches are unfruitful, contacting the Pioneer Press obituary desk directly is advisable. They can assist with obituary searches and provide information on past publications. Their contact details are:
- Phone: 651-228-5263
- Email: [email protected]
Placing an Obituary in the Pioneer Press
The Pioneer Press offers a service to publish obituaries both in their print newspaper and online. Here’s a step-by-step guide to placing an obituary:
General Information Needed
When you contact the Pioneer Press to place an obituary, be prepared to provide the following general information:
- Your Full Name
- Address (City, State, Zip Code)
- Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (Optional)
This information is for contact and verification purposes during the obituary placement process.
Obituary Specifications
To ensure your obituary accurately reflects the life of your loved one, you will need to provide the following details:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary. This should include key biographical details, significant life events, surviving family members, and information about memorial services or charitable donations, if desired.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A photograph of the deceased can be included to personalize the obituary. The preferred format is JPEG or PDF, but TIF and other formats are also accepted. Contact the obituary desk if you have any concerns about photo compatibility.
- Desired Run Dates: Specify the dates you would like the obituary to be published. Running the obituary for multiple days can qualify for a discount, which must be scheduled on the first run date. If a photo is included, it must run on all publication days to qualify for the discount.
Verification of Death Policy
The Pioneer Press requires verification of death to ensure the accuracy and integrity of published obituaries. You will need to provide one of the following:
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Contact Information: Provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. The Pioneer Press will contact them during business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or similar): If the deceased’s body was 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 acceptable as verification.
It is crucial to allow sufficient time for verification, especially when deadlines approach or during weekend hours when funeral homes may have limited availability.
Obituary Process
Once you have submitted your obituary information, the Pioneer Press will follow this process:
- Proof Review: A proof of the obituary, including the text, photo (if provided), scheduled publication dates, and price, will be faxed or emailed to you for review.
- Careful Review: It is essential to carefully review the proof for any errors or necessary changes.
- Corrections and Approval: Notify the Pioneer Press of any errors or changes before the daily deadline. After publication, the Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors that were present in the final proof that you approved.
Online Obituaries
Obituaries placed with the Pioneer Press are published both in print and online. Changes to the online obituary after publication can be made by contacting the obituary desk directly via phone.
Payment Procedure and Rates
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the specified deadline in the deadline schedule. After you receive and approve the proof, you can make payment by calling 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Payment Methods Accepted:
- Credit Card: Accepted by phone only for security reasons.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Check by phone. You will need to provide your routing number and account number.
- Cash: Accepted in person at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Rates:
- Minimum Charge: $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost per Line (after 10 lines): $12.20 per line.
- Obituaries under 10 lines: Charged the minimum rate of $162.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: $8.20 per line (starting with the first line).
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo per day of publication.
Example Rate Calculation (First Run Date): An obituary with 20 lines would cost $162 for the first 10 lines + (10 lines x $12.20/line) = $162 + $122 = $284.
Example Photo Rate Calculation: Publishing two photos in the paper for two days would result in 4 photo charges at $125 each, totaling $500.
Deadlines
Adhering to deadlines is crucial to ensure timely publication of the obituary on your requested day.
| 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 (Non-Obituary) Requests
For remembrances of loved ones that are not traditional obituaries, the Pioneer Press offers Memoriam submissions. These are distinct from obituaries and have different rates. For information on Memoriam notices, please contact:
- Phone: 651-228-5280
- Email: [email protected]
Memoriam Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays)
By following this guide, you can effectively navigate both searching for and placing obituaries in the Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and meaningful tribute to those you wish to honor.
