Placing an obituary in the Pioneer Press to commemorate a loved one’s life is a straightforward process when you have the right information. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough for submitting obituaries to Pioneer Press, ensuring your tribute is published accurately and timely. For submissions, please email [email protected]. For any immediate questions, you can reach their obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
General Information Needed for Obituary Submission
When you prepare to submit an obituary, ensure you have the following general information readily available. This will streamline the submission process and help the Pioneer Press team assist you efficiently.
- Your Full Name
- Address (including City, State, and Zip Code)
- Primary Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (optional, but recommended)
This contact information is essential for the Pioneer Press to communicate with you regarding your obituary submission, including sending proofs and payment confirmations.
Essential Obituary Specifications
To create a meaningful and accurate obituary, you will need to provide specific details about the deceased. Gather the following obituary specifications before submitting your request:
- Name of Deceased: Full legal name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary. This should include key life details, achievements, and information about services if desired.
- Photo: A photograph of the deceased to accompany the obituary. JPEG or PDF files are preferred for image submissions. TIF and other file formats are also accepted, and the Pioneer Press will contact you if any issues arise with the photo file.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to be published. Note that running the obituary for multiple days can qualify for a discount, especially if a photo is included. To avail of discounts, the schedule must be confirmed on the first run date.
- Discount Considerations: Discounts are available for multi-day runs. If a photo is included, it must run for all publication days to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed discount information.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Verification and Guidelines
Pioneer Press has specific policies in place to ensure the integrity and accuracy of published obituaries. Understanding these policies is crucial for a smooth submission process.
Death Verification
To maintain accuracy and prevent misinformation, Pioneer Press requires verification of death. You must provide one of the following for verification purposes:
- 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 business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or similar): If the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, provide their phone number for verification.
- Death Certificate: A death certificate is also accepted as proof of death. Only one of these verification methods is necessary.
Allow ample time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral homes or related institutions may have limited availability.
Guestbook and External Website Policies
Pioneer Press has guidelines regarding references to external websites or media within obituaries.
- No External Guestbook/Obituary References: You cannot include references to guestbooks or obituaries placed on other media sources when publishing an obituary in the Pioneer Press, both in print and online.
- Acceptable Website Links: You may include a website link for a funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have questions about website link inclusions, contact the obituary desk for clarification.
The Pioneer Press Obituary Submission Process
Submitting your obituary involves a structured process to ensure accuracy and satisfaction.
- Proof Review: Once you submit your obituary, Pioneer Press will send you a proof via fax or email for your review before publication. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total price.
- Careful Proofreading: Review the proof meticulously for any errors or necessary changes. It is crucial to notify Pioneer Press of any corrections or modifications before the publication deadline.
- Deadline for Changes: Changes must be communicated to Pioneer Press before the daily deadlines to be incorporated into the publication.
- Post-Publication Responsibility: Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors discovered after final proof approval and subsequent publication. Therefore, thorough proofreading is essential.
Online Obituary Management
Once your obituary is published online, any necessary changes can be facilitated through the obituary desk.
- Online Alterations: For any modifications to an online obituary after it has been published, contact the obituary desk directly. They will assist you with the necessary updates.
Understanding Obituary Payment Procedures
Pioneer Press requires pre-payment for all obituary notices before they are published. Adhering to the payment procedure ensures timely publication.
Pre-payment Requirement
- Pre-payment is Mandatory: Payment must be completed before the publication deadline specified in the deadline schedule.
Payment Methods
Pioneer Press offers several convenient payment methods:
- Credit Card (Phone Payment Only): Credit card payments are accepted via phone call 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 providing your routing number and account number over the phone for an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This is essentially paying by check over the phone.
- Cash (Front Counter): Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Note that this option is only available during these hours and weekdays.
Pioneer Press Obituary Rates and Costs
Understanding the rate structure helps in budgeting for the obituary placement. Pioneer Press obituary costs are structured based on lines and photo inclusions.
- Minimum Line Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line: For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20.
- Minimum Charge Application: Even if the obituary is less than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For obituaries running for a second day, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Example Calculation: For a 20-line obituary on the first run date, the cost would be $164 (example may be outdated, confirm current rates).
- Photo Publication Fee: Each photo published with the obituary incurs a charge of $125 per day.
- Example Photo Cost: Publishing two photos for two days would result in four photo charges, totaling $500 (2 photos x 2 days x $125/photo/day).
Contact Pioneer Press for the most up-to-date rate information and to clarify any cost-related queries.
Crucial Deadlines for Obituary Submission
Meeting the deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary is published on the desired date. Pioneer Press has specific deadlines for each publication 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 |
Adhere strictly to these deadlines to prevent any delays in your obituary publication.
Memoriam Submissions: Remembering Loved Ones
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam submissions, which serve as remembrances for loved ones who have passed.
- Memoriam vs. Obituary: Memoriams are distinct from obituaries, focusing on remembrance rather than announcing a death.
- Different Rates: The rates for memoriam submissions differ from obituary rates.
- Memoriam Information: For more information on memoriam submissions, including rates and guidelines, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
- Memoriam Submission Hours: Memoriam inquiries and submissions are handled Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed weekends and holidays).
By following this comprehensive guide, you can confidently submit an obituary to Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and accurate tribute to your loved one. For any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk or memoriam services using the provided contact information.
