Placing an obituary in the Pioneer Press to commemorate a loved one’s life is a straightforward process. This guide provides all the necessary information to submit an obituary to the Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and timely announcement. Whether you are looking to announce a recent passing or understand the process for future arrangements, this resource will walk you through each step.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the obituary placement process with the Pioneer Press, you will need to compile some general information. Please ensure you have the following details ready when you prepare your submission:
- Your Full Name: This is for contact purposes regarding the obituary.
- Address: Include your City, State, and Zip Code for record-keeping.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number is required for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: Providing a secondary phone number is helpful for ensuring contact.
Crafting Your Obituary Specification
The heart of your submission is the obituary itself. Here’s what you need to prepare for the obituary specification:
- Name of Deceased: Clearly state the full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: Compose the obituary text, detailing the life and achievements of the deceased.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph adds a personal touch. Submit photos in JPEG or PDF format if possible. TIF and other formats are also accepted, and the Pioneer Press will contact you if there are any issues.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to be published. Running the obituary for more than one day qualifies for a discount, which must be scheduled on the first run date. If including a photo, it must run for all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing information on multiple-day runs and photo inclusion.
Understanding the Policies for Obituaries MN Pioneer Press
Several key policies are in place to ensure the accuracy and integrity of obituaries published in the Pioneer Press.
Verification of Death
To uphold the authenticity of obituary announcements, the Pioneer Press requires verification of death. You must provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. The Pioneer Press obituary desk will contact them during business hours to verify the passing. Alternatively, if the deceased’s body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their contact number can be provided for verification.
Providing this information is crucial and it is important to allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral homes may have limited availability. While a death certificate is also acceptable for verification, only one of these two verification methods is necessary.
Guestbook and External Website References
The Pioneer Press policy restricts referencing external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries. When placing an obituary, you cannot include links to guestbooks or obituaries hosted on other platforms. However, you can include a website for the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the obituary desk for clarification.
The Obituary Placement Process
Submitting your obituary to the Pioneer Press involves a structured process designed to ensure accuracy and satisfaction.
Submission and Proofing
Once you have compiled your obituary submission, email it to [email protected]. After submission, the Pioneer Press will email or fax you a proof for your review before the obituary is published in the newspaper. This proof will include the cost and the scheduled publication dates.
Review the proof with utmost care. It is your responsibility to notify the Pioneer Press of any errors or necessary changes before the publication deadline for each day’s newspaper. The Pioneer Press is not liable for errors that appear after the final proof has been approved.
Online Obituary Management
Changes to an online obituary after publication can be made by contacting the obituary desk directly. Call them with any amendments or questions you may have regarding the online version of the obituary.
Payment Procedures for Pioneer Press Obituaries
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before they are published. Payment must be completed by the specified deadline outlined in the deadline schedule. After you have received and approved the proof, call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Accepted payment methods include:
- Credit Card: Payments are accepted over the phone only for security reasons, adhering to PCI (Payment Card Industry) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): You can pay by phone using a check. Provide your routing number and account number when you call.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Understanding Obituary Rates
The Pioneer Press has a structured rate system for obituaries:
- 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.
- Second Run Date Discount: For obituaries running on a second day, the rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary on the first day would cost $164.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published is $125 per day. For instance, publishing two photos over two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines for Obituary Submissions
Adhering to the deadlines is crucial 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 Notices
In addition to obituaries, the Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam notices. These submissions are remembrances of a loved one who has passed and are distinct from obituaries in rates and purpose. For more information on placing a memoriam, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
The Memoriam desk operates Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and is closed on weekends and holidays.
For any further questions or to begin placing an obituary, please contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263 or email [email protected].
