Submitting an obituary to the Pioneer Press in St. Paul, Minnesota, requires a straightforward process, primarily handled via email. This guide provides all the necessary information to ensure your obituary is placed accurately and timely. For direct assistance, the Pioneer Press obituary desk is available at 651-228-5263.
How to Submit an Obituary to the Pioneer Press
To begin the obituary placement process, compile the following details and send them to [email protected]. Currently, online submissions through the website are not available.
Information Needed for Obituary Submission
When submitting your obituary, please include the following general and specific information:
General Contact Information:
- Your Full Name:
- Address: (City, State, Zip Code)
- Phone Number:
- Alternate Phone Number: (Optional)
Obituary Specific Information:
- Deceased’s Full Name:
- Obituary Text: Compose the text exactly as you want it to appear in publication.
- Photo: Attach a photograph in JPEG or PDF format if desired. TIF and other file types are also accepted. The Pioneer Press will contact you if there are any issues with the photo file.
- Preferred Run Dates: Indicate the dates you wish the obituary to be published. Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day, but this must be scheduled on the initial run date. For photo discounts, the photo must run on all scheduled days. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing and discount information.
Key Policies and Processes for Pioneer Press Obituaries
Understanding the Pioneer Press’s policies will help ensure a smooth obituary placement process.
Verification of Death
To maintain accuracy and prevent errors, the Pioneer Press requires verification of death. Please 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. If the deceased donated their body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar organization, their contact information can be provided for verification instead.
Allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral homes may have limited availability. Alternatively, a death certificate is also accepted as verification, though only one of these verification methods is necessary.
Guidelines Regarding Guestbooks and External Websites
The Pioneer Press does not permit references to external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries placed elsewhere when publishing an obituary in their print and online editions. However, you can include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes. Contact the obituary desk if you have questions about this policy.
The Obituary Proofing and Publication Process
Once you submit your obituary, the Pioneer Press will send a proof via fax or email for your review before publication. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total cost.
Review this proof very carefully. It is crucial to notify the Pioneer Press obituary desk of any errors or necessary changes before the publication deadline for the scheduled day. The Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors discovered after final proof approval and subsequent publication.
Online Obituary Modifications
Changes to an obituary once it is published online can be managed by contacting the obituary desk directly. Call them with any modification requests.
Payment Information and Rate Details for Obituaries
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before they are published. Payment must be made by the specified deadline in the schedule below. Contact 651-228-5263 with your payment information after you have received and approved the obituary proof.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Credit Card: For security reasons, credit card payments are accepted over the phone only.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Pay by phone using your routing number and account number.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Obituary Rate Structure
- Minimum Charge: $162 for obituaries up to 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (after 10 lines): $12.20 per line.
- Obituaries under 10 lines are charged the minimum rate of $162.
- Second Run Date Rate: $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary on the first day would cost $164.
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo, per day of publication. For instance, publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Pioneer Press Obituary Deadlines
Adhering to the deadlines is essential to ensure your obituary appears on your desired publication date.
| 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 4:30 PM. Make changes by 5:00 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 4:30 PM |
| SATURDAYS 10:00AM – 2:00PM | Sunday Publication | Must receive obituary content and payment same day by 1:30 PM. Make changes by 2:00 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 1:30 PM |
| SUNDAYS 12:00PM – 3:00PM | Monday Publication | Must receive obituary content, payment, and final changes same day by 2:30 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 2:30 PM |
Memoriam Notices: Remembering Loved Ones
In addition to obituaries, the Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam notices. These are remembrances of loved ones who have passed and differ in rates from traditional obituaries.
For more information on placing a Memoriam, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
Memoriam Department Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays).
This comprehensive guide should assist you in placing an obituary with the Pioneer Press in St. Paul, MN. For any further assistance or clarifications, do not hesitate to contact their dedicated obituary desk.
