Placing an obituary in a respected news source like Pioneer Press is a significant way to honor a loved one’s memory. As a News Pioneer in delivering community stories, Pioneer Press offers a platform to share important life announcements. This guide provides you with a streamlined process for submitting an obituary, ensuring all necessary details are covered for a timely and respectful publication.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the process, ensure you have the following general information readily available. This will help expedite your submission and allow the Pioneer Press obituary desk to process your request efficiently.
- Your Full Name
- Address: Including City, State, and Zip Code
- Phone Number: For primary contact
- Alternate Phone Number: If available, for additional contact
Key Specifications for Your Obituary
Preparing the obituary details accurately is crucial. Please gather the following specifications to craft a comprehensive and meaningful tribute.
- Name of Deceased: Full name of the person who has passed.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary itself.
- Photo: A JPEG or PDF file is preferred for the photograph. TIF and other file formats are also accepted. You will be contacted if there are any issues with the photo file.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day Run Discount: Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day. To apply, the schedule must be set on the first run date. If a photo is included, it must run for all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed information on multi-day discounts.
Important Policies and Verification Procedures
Pioneer Press adheres to specific policies to ensure the integrity and accuracy of obituary publications. Understanding these policies is essential for a smooth submission process.
Verification of Death
To uphold the authenticity of published obituaries, verification of death is mandatory. Please 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 passing. Alternatively, if the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program, or a similar program, their contact number will suffice for verification. A death certificate is also acceptable as an alternative to funeral home verification.
Guestbook and External Website References
To maintain focus on the obituary within Pioneer Press’s publication, references to external media sources, guestbooks, or obituaries placed elsewhere are not permitted in print and online obituaries. However, you may include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the obituary desk for clarification.
The Obituary Publication Process
Once your obituary submission is complete, Pioneer Press will send a proof for your review via fax or email before it is published in the newspaper. This proof will include the pricing details and the scheduled publication dates. It is crucial to review this proof meticulously. Any errors or required changes must be communicated to Pioneer Press before the publication deadline for each scheduled day. Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors that appear after final proofing and subsequent publication.
Payment Guidelines
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be completed by the specified deadline in the deadline schedule. After receiving and approving your proof, please call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Credit Card: Payments are accepted over the phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Payment via phone check is available. Please provide your routing number and account number.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Rates and Cost Structure
Understanding the rate structure will help you plan for the obituary placement.
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Line Rate: For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20. If the obituary is under 10 lines, the minimum rate of $162 still applies.
- Second Run Date Rate: For a second day of publication, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary for the first run date would cost $164.
- Photo Charge: Each photo published incurs a charge of $125 per day. For instance, publishing two photos for two days would result in a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Publication Deadlines
Adhering to the deadlines is critical 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 (Non-Obituary) Requests
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam submissions, which are remembrances of a loved one. Please note that rates for memoriams differ from obituary rates. For detailed information on memoriam submissions, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed on weekends and holidays.
For any further assistance or questions regarding obituary submissions, please contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263 or email [email protected]. Pioneer Press, as a news pioneer, is committed to assisting you in honoring your loved ones with dignity and respect.
