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 for submitting an obituary, ensuring a respectful and accurate tribute. Please note that obituaries cannot be placed through the website directly; all submissions are handled via email. For any inquiries, the obituary desk is available at 651-228-5263.
Submitting Your Pioneer Press Obituary: Essential Steps
To begin the obituary placement process, email your submission to [email protected]. Your email should include the following details for efficient processing:
General Information Required for Obituary Submission
Please provide the following personal details in your submission email:
- Your Full Name
- Complete Address: Including City, State, and Zip Code
- Primary Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number: If applicable
Key Specifications for Your Obituary Notice
To ensure your obituary accurately reflects your wishes, include the following specifications:
- Deceased’s Full Name: The name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The complete text of the obituary as you wish it to appear.
- Photo Submission: Attach a photograph in JPEG or PDF format if you wish to include one. TIF and other file types are also accepted, but you will be contacted if there are compatibility issues.
- Desired Run Dates: Specify the dates you would like the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day Run Discount: Pioneer Press offers discounts for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this, the multi-day schedule must be confirmed on the first run date. Similarly, photo inclusion discounts for multiple days require the photo to be used on each scheduled day. Contact the obituary desk for detailed discount information.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies and Processes
Verification of Death: A Necessary Step
To maintain accuracy and respect, Pioneer Press requires verification of death before publishing any obituary. Please provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. Pioneer Press staff will contact them during business hours to verify the passing. Alternatively, if the deceased has donated their body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar organization, their contact number is sufficient for verification. Ensure ample time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral home hours may be limited. A death certificate is also acceptable as an alternative to funeral home verification.
Guidelines on Guestbooks and External Websites
Pioneer Press policy restricts references to external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries. However, you may include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes within the obituary. For clarifications on this policy, please contact the obituary desk.
The Obituary Submission and Proofing Process
Upon receiving your complete obituary submission, Pioneer Press will send a proof via fax or email for your review before the scheduled publication date. This proof will detail the obituary content, the scheduled publication dates, and the total cost. Carefully review this proof for any errors or necessary changes. Notify Pioneer Press of any corrections before the daily deadline to ensure accuracy in the published obituary. Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors identified after final proofing and publication.
Online Obituary Amendments
Any changes to an online obituary post-publication can be managed by contacting the obituary desk directly. Call for assistance with online modifications.
Pioneer Press Obituary Payment Information
Pre-Payment Requirement
Pioneer Press requires pre-payment for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be finalized by the specified deadline. Payment details should be provided after you receive and approve the obituary proof. Contact 651-228-5263 with your payment information once the proof is approved.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Credit Card: For security reasons (PCI compliance), credit card payments are accepted over the phone only.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Payment via phone using your routing number and account number.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Pioneer Press Obituary Rates
Understanding the cost structure is important when placing an obituary.
- Minimum Charge: The base rate is $162 for obituaries up to 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line: For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20. Obituaries shorter than 10 lines are still subject to the minimum $162 charge.
- Second Run Date Discount: For obituaries running on a second day, the rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary on the first day would cost $164.
- Photo Charges: Including a photo incurs a charge of $125 per day, per photo. For instance, using two photos across two days would result in a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo insertions).
Pioneer Press Obituary Deadlines
Adhering to the deadlines is crucial to ensure timely publication of the obituary on your desired day.
| Hours | Deadline (No Exceptions) | Ad | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00AM – 5:00 PM | Next Day Publication | Obituary content and payment by 4:30PM same day; changes by 5:00PM | Photo(s) by 4:30PM |
| SATURDAYS 10:00AM – 2:00PM | Sunday Publication | Obituary content and payment by 1:30PM same day; changes by 2:00PM | Photo(s) by 1:30PM |
| SUNDAYS 12:00PM – 3:00PM | Monday Publication | Obituary content, payment, and final changes by 2:30PM same day | Photo(s) by 2:30PM |
Memoriam Announcements: Remembering Loved Ones
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press offers Memoriam announcements, which are remembrances of deceased loved ones, distinct from formal obituaries. Rates for Memoriam submissions differ from obituary rates. For detailed information on Memoriam announcements, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
Memoriam Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays).
