Submitting an obituary to Pioneer Press to announce the passing of a loved one is a straightforward process. This guide provides all the necessary information to ensure your submission is handled smoothly and efficiently by the Pioneer Press obituary desk, a key part of community news alongside Pioneer Press Sports coverage. Please carefully review the following guidelines for submitting an obituary via email, as there is currently no online submission option through the website. For any immediate assistance, you can directly contact the obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the obituary placement process, please compile the following details and include them in your email to [email protected].
Your Contact Information:
- Full Name
- Address (including City, State, and Zip Code)
- Primary Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (optional)
Obituary Content Specifications:
- Deceased’s Full Name
- Complete Obituary Text – This should be written exactly as you want it to appear in publication.
- Photograph: Submit a high-resolution photo of the deceased. JPEG or PDF formats are preferred. TIF and other file types are also acceptable. If there are any issues with your submitted photo, the obituary desk will contact you.
- Desired Run Dates: Indicate the specific dates you wish the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day Run Discount: Pioneer Press offers discounts for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this discount, the multi-day schedule must be confirmed on the initial run date.
- Photo Usage for Discount: If you include a photo, it must be used on all scheduled run dates to qualify for the multi-day discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing and discount information.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies
Verification of Passing:
To maintain accuracy and respect, Pioneer Press requires verification of death before publishing any obituary. Please provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. Pioneer Press staff will contact them during their business hours to confirm the passing. Alternatively, if the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar institution, please provide their contact number for verification.
Providing accurate contact information for verification is crucial, especially during weekends when business hours may be limited. While a death certificate is also acceptable for verification, providing funeral home or donation program contact details is usually sufficient and more efficient.
Guidelines Regarding Guestbooks and External Websites:
Pioneer Press policy restricts references to external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries already published elsewhere. However, you are welcome to include the website address for the funeral home or a family email address for direct contact within the obituary. If you have specific questions about this policy, please contact the obituary desk for clarification.
Obituary Submission and Proofing Process:
Once you have submitted all the required information, Pioneer Press will prepare a proof of the obituary and send it to you via fax or email for your review. This proof will include the total price and the scheduled publication dates.
It is imperative to carefully review this proof for any errors or necessary changes. Please notify the Pioneer Press obituary desk of any corrections before the stated deadline for each publication day. Pioneer Press cannot assume responsibility for errors that appear after final proof approval.
Online Obituary Modifications:
Any changes to an obituary once it is published online can be managed directly through the obituary desk. Please call them with any required modifications or questions regarding online obituaries.
Payment Information and Rates
Pre-Payment Requirement:
Pioneer Press mandates pre-payment for all obituary notices before they are published. Payment must be completed by the deadline specified in the deadline schedule. After you receive and approve the obituary proof, please call 651-228-5263 with your payment details.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Credit Card: Payments via credit card are accepted over the phone only to ensure compliance with PCI (Payment Card Industry) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): You can pay by phone using a check. Please have your bank routing number and account number ready.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter during business hours, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Obituary Rate Structure:
- Minimum Charge: The base cost is $162 for obituaries up to 10 lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line: For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20.
- Minimum Line Charge: Even if an obituary is less than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For obituaries running on a second day, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary running for the first time would cost $164.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published is an additional $125 per day. For instance, using two photos in the obituary for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Publication Deadlines
Adhering to the following deadlines is crucial to ensure your obituary is published on your desired date. Please note that these deadlines are strictly enforced.
| Schedule | Deadline (No Exceptions) | Content & Payment Deadline | Photo Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) – Next Day Publication | 4:30 PM Same Day (Content & Payment) / 5:00 PM Same Day (Changes) | 4:30 PM Same Day | 4:30 PM Same Day |
| Saturdays (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) – Sunday Publication | 1:30 PM Same Day (Content & Payment) / 2:00 PM Same Day (Changes) | 1:30 PM Same Day | 1:30 PM Same Day |
| Sundays (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM) – Monday Publication | 2:30 PM Same Day (Content, Payment & Final Changes) | 2:30 PM Same Day | 2:30 PM Same Day |
Memoriam Submissions (Non-Obituary)
For those wishing to publish a memoriam, which is a remembrance of a deceased loved one rather than a formal obituary, Pioneer Press offers a separate service. Memoriam rates differ from obituary rates.
For detailed information on memoriam submissions, please contact Pioneer Press at 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
Memoriam Department Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays).
By following these guidelines, you can effectively submit an obituary to Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and timely announcement for your community, reaching readers who also value local news and Pioneer Press sports.
