Submitting an obituary to the Pioneer Press requires following a straightforward process to honor your loved one’s memory. This guide provides all necessary information for placing an obituary, ensuring a respectful and accurate tribute in our publication, a true Opinion Pioneer in community news.
General Submission Information
To begin, please compile the following details in your email to [email protected]. For queries, our obituary desk is available at 651-228-5263.
- Your Contact Information:
- Full Name
- Address (City, State, Zip Code)
- Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (Optional)
Obituary Content Specifications
Prepare the following obituary details for submission:
- Deceased’s Information:
- Name of Deceased
- Obituary Text (Compose the tribute as you wish it to appear)
- Photograph: JPEG or PDF format preferred. TIF and other formats are acceptable; we will contact you if there are any photo issues.
- Publication Dates:
- Desired Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day Discount: Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day, but this must be arranged on the first scheduled run date.
- Photo Discount: If including a photo, it must run on all publication days to qualify for a multi-day discount. Contact us for detailed pricing information.
Verification and Policies
Death Verification
To uphold accuracy and respect, Pioneer Press requires death verification. Please provide either:
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Contact: Name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling arrangements. We will contact them during business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or Similar: If applicable, provide the program’s phone number for verification.
- Death Certificate: A death certificate is also acceptable for death verification.
Allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral home hours may be limited.
Guestbooks and External Websites
Pioneer Press policy restricts references to external media sources that host guestbooks or duplicate obituaries. However, we can include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes. Contact us if you have questions about this policy.
Obituary Submission Process
Upon receiving your complete submission, Pioneer Press will send a proof via fax or email for your review before newspaper publication. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total cost.
Crucial Review: Carefully examine the proof for any errors or necessary changes. Notify us of any corrections before the daily deadline to ensure accuracy in the Pioneer Press.
Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors after final proof approval and subsequent publication.
Online Obituary Adjustments
For online obituary modifications post-publication, please contact the obituary desk directly for assistance.
Payment Information
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before publication, adhering to the specified deadline schedule. After proof approval, call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Payment Methods:
- Credit Card: Phone payments only due to PCI regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Check payment via phone. Provide your routing and account numbers.
- Cash: Accepted at our front counter, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Rate Structure
- Minimum Charge: $162 for up to 10 lines.
- Additional Lines: $12.20 per line after the initial 10 lines.
- Minimum Rate: The $162 minimum applies even if the obituary is under 10 lines.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Example: A 20-line obituary on the first day costs $164.
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo, per day of publication.
- Example: Two photos published for two days incur a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Deadlines
Adhere strictly to the deadlines below to guarantee publication on your requested day.
| Hours | Deadline (No Exceptions) | Ad | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00AM – 5:00 PM | Next Day Publication | Submit content and payment by 4:30 PM; changes by 5:00 PM | Submit photo(s) by 4:30 PM |
| SATURDAYS 10:00AM – 2:00PM | Sunday Publication | Submit content and payment by 1:30 PM; changes by 2:00 PM | Submit photo(s) by 1:30 PM |
| SUNDAYS 12:00PM – 3:00PM | Monday Publication | Submit content, payment, and final changes by 2:30 PM | Submit photo(s) by 2:30 PM |
Memoriam Submissions (Non-Obituary)
For remembrances of loved ones that are not obituaries, consider a Memoriam submission. Rates and details differ from obituaries.
For Memoriam information:
- Call 651-228-5280
- Email [email protected]
Memoriam Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays)
