Submitting an obituary to the St. Paul Pioneer Press to commemorate a loved one’s life is a straightforward process. This guide provides all the necessary information and steps to ensure your obituary is published accurately and timely. Please note that obituaries cannot be placed through the website directly; submissions are handled via email.
For any inquiries or assistance, the Pioneer Press obituary desk is available at 651-228-5263.
General Information Needed for Submission
When you submit an obituary, please include the following contact details for processing purposes:
- Your Full Name
- Address (City, State, Zip Code)
- Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (Optional)
This information is essential for the Pioneer Press team to communicate with you regarding your submission.
Obituary Specifications: Details to Include
To prepare your obituary for submission, ensure you have the following details ready:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary itself, detailing the life and memories of the deceased.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A photograph of the deceased to accompany the obituary. JPEG or PDF files are preferred, but TIF and other formats are also accepted. The Pioneer Press will contact you if there are any issues with the photo file.
- 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 a photo is included, it must run on all scheduled days to be eligible for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed discount information.
Alt text: Newspaper delivery person throwing Pioneer Press onto doorstep, representing obituary announcement reach.
Key Policies and Procedures for Obituaries
Understanding the Pioneer Press’s policies will help streamline the submission process:
Verification of Death
To maintain accuracy and respect, 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 will contact them during business hours to verify the passing. If the deceased participated in a body donation program like the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program, their contact number is also acceptable for verification.
Please allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral home hours may be limited. A death certificate is also accepted as an alternative to funeral home contact information. Only one form of verification is required.
Guestbook and External Website Policy
To keep the focus on the obituary within the Pioneer Press platforms, references to external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries are not permitted. However, you can include the website of the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. Contact the obituary desk if you have questions about this policy.
Obituary Proofing Process
Once your obituary submission is complete, 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 price.
Carefully review this proof for any errors or necessary changes. Notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections before the daily deadline to ensure accuracy in the published obituary. The Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors discovered after final proofing and publication.
Online Obituary Amendments
If you need to make changes to an obituary once it is online, please contact the obituary desk directly for assistance.
Payment Procedures for Obituary Notices
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the specified deadline, outlined in the deadline schedule below. After you receive and approve the proof, call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
- Credit Card: Payments via credit card are accepted over the phone only, due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): You can pay by providing your routing number and account number over the phone.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Alt text: Front view of St. Paul Pioneer Press building, symbolizing location for obituary submissions and inquiries.
Obituary Rates and Costs
Understanding the rate structure helps in budgeting for the obituary:
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for up to 10 lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line: For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line costs $12.20. If the obituary is less than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 still applies.
- Second Run Date Discount: For the second day of publication, the rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary on the first day costs $164.
- Photo Charges: Publishing a photo costs $125 per day, per photo. For instance, using two photos for two days would result in a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Deadlines for Obituary Submission
Adhering to the deadlines is crucial to ensure timely publication of the obituary on your desired 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 4:30PM. 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, the Pioneer Press also publishes Memoriam notices, which are remembrances of loved ones who have passed but differ from standard obituaries. Rates for Memoriam submissions are different from obituary rates.
For more information on placing a Memoriam, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The Memoriam desk is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed on weekends and holidays.
For any further questions regarding obituaries or memoriams, please contact the Pioneer Press using the details provided.
