Submitting an obituary to Pioneer Planet to commemorate a loved one’s life is a straightforward process. To ensure your obituary is published accurately and timely, please follow these guidelines. Currently, obituary submissions are handled via email, providing a direct and personalized service. For any inquiries, the obituary desk is available at 651-228-5263.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the process of placing Pioneer Planet Obits, please include the following general information in your email to [email protected]:
- Your Full Name: This is for contact purposes regarding the obituary.
- Your Address: Include City, State, and Zip Code for record-keeping.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: Optional, but helpful for ensuring contact.
Obituary Specifications
When submitting pioneer planet obits, providing detailed specifications will help in accurate and efficient processing. Please include the following:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The complete text of the obituary as you wish it to appear.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph to accompany the obituary, preferably in JPEG or PDF format. TIF and other formats are also accepted. We will contact you if there are any issues with the photo file.
- Preferred Run Dates: Specify the dates you would like the obituary to be published.
- Multiple Day Discount: A discount is available for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this, the schedule must be set on the first run date. If a photo is included, it must run for all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact us for detailed discount information.
Verification Policies for Pioneer Planet Obits
To maintain the integrity of pioneer planet obits, verification of death is mandatory. Our policies are designed to ensure accuracy and respect in all our publications.
Death Verification Requirements
For every obituary submission, we require one of the following for death verification:
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Contact: Please provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. We will contact them during their business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or Similar: If the deceased’s body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program, or a similar program, their phone number is required for verification.
Please ensure sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral home hours may be limited. A death certificate is also acceptable, but only one of these verification methods is necessary.
Policy on Guestbooks and External Websites
To keep the focus on pioneer planet obits within our publication, we do not reference external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries. However, you may include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact within the obituary text. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this policy.
Pioneer Planet Obits Submission Process
Submitting pioneer planet obits involves a clear and communicative process to ensure accuracy and satisfaction.
Proof Review and Publication
Once we receive your obituary submission, we will send a proof for your review via fax or email before it is published in the newspaper and online. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total price.
Please review the proof meticulously for any errors or necessary changes. Notify us of any corrections before the stated daily deadlines to ensure they are implemented prior to publication in the Pioneer Press. We are not responsible for errors identified after final proofing and subsequent publication.
Online Obituary Amendments
Changes to pioneer planet obits online after publication can be made by contacting the obituary desk directly. Please call us with any amendments or questions regarding online obituaries.
Payment Procedure for Pioneer Planet Obits
Pre-payment is required for all pioneer planet obits before publication. Payment must be completed by the deadline specified in our schedule. You can make a payment after you have received and approved the proof by calling 651-228-5263 with your payment details.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Credit Card: We accept credit card payments by phone only, adhering to PCI (Payment Card Industry) regulations for security.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): You can pay by check over the phone. Please provide your bank routing number and account number.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at our front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Pioneer Planet Obits Rates
Understanding the rates for pioneer planet obits helps in planning and budgeting for your announcement.
Obituary Cost Structure
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge is $162 for obituaries up to 10 lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line: For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is $12.20.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For a second publication date, the rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Photo Charge: Each photo published with the obituary is $125 per day. For example, publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges totaling $500.
Submission Deadlines for Pioneer Planet Obits
Adhering to deadlines is crucial to ensure your pioneer planet obits are published on your desired date. Please note that these deadlines are strictly enforced.
Deadline Schedule
| 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 Submissions (Non-Obituary)
In addition to pioneer planet obits, we also offer memoriam submissions. Memoriams are remembrances of loved ones who have passed, and the rates differ from standard obituaries. For more information on memoriam submissions, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. Our hours for memoriam inquiries are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed weekends and holidays).
For further assistance with pioneer planet obits or memoriam submissions, please do not hesitate to contact us during our operating hours. We are here to help you through this process with compassion and professionalism.
