Submitting a death notice to the Pioneer Press requires a straightforward process, primarily conducted via email. Understanding the guidelines and requirements ensures a smooth and timely publication. This guide provides comprehensive information on how to place death notices, also known as obituaries, with the Pioneer Press.
Essential Information for Submission
When you are ready to submit a death notice, compile the following general information to include in your email to [email protected]. For any immediate assistance or queries, you can directly contact their obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
- Your Full Name: Provide your complete name for contact purposes.
- Address: Include your full address, specifying City, State, and Zip Code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: If available, provide a secondary phone number to ensure you can be reached.
Obituary Content Specifications
To ensure your obituary is processed efficiently, please prepare the following specifications:
- Name of Deceased: Clearly state the full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: Compose the text of the obituary itself. Be sure to proofread this carefully before submission.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A photograph can be a significant addition to the death notice.
- File Format: JPEG or PDF is preferred. TIF and other file formats are also accepted. The Pioneer Press will contact you if there are any issues with your submitted photo.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish for the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day Discount: Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this discount, the schedule must be set on the first run date.
- Photo Discount: If you choose to include a photo, it must run for all scheduled days to qualify for a multi-day discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing information.
Key Policies for Pioneer Press Death Notices
Adhering to the Pioneer Press’s policies is crucial for successful obituary placement.
Verification of Death
To maintain accuracy and respect, the Pioneer Press requires verification of death.
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Contact: 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.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program: If the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or a similar program), provide their phone number for verification.
- Death Certificate: Alternatively, a death certificate is also acceptable for death verification. Only one of these verification methods is necessary.
- Time Consideration: Please allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekends when business hours may be limited.
Guidelines on Guestbooks and External Websites
The Pioneer Press has specific guidelines regarding references to external media.
- No External Guestbook/Obituary References: References to guestbooks or obituaries placed on other platforms are not permitted in print and online obituaries within the Pioneer Press.
- Funeral Home Website/Family Email: You may include a website for the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. Contact the obituary desk if you have questions about this policy.
The Obituary Placement Process
Understanding the process from submission to publication will help you manage timelines effectively.
- Proof Review: Once your obituary submission is complete, the Pioneer Press will send a proof via fax or email for your review before it is published in the newspaper. This proof will detail the price and the scheduled publication dates.
- Careful Review is Essential: Thoroughly review the proof for accuracy. Notify the Pioneer Press of any errors or required changes before the stated daily deadlines.
- Post-Publication Error Responsibility: The Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors identified after final proofing and subsequent publication.
Online Obituary Amendments
- Online Changes: Modifications to an online obituary can be managed directly through the obituary desk. Contact them for any necessary adjustments.
Payment Procedures for Death Notices
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be completed by the deadline specified in the deadline schedule. After receiving and approving your proof, call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
- Credit Card Payment: Payments via credit card are accepted over the phone only, due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Check by Phone): You can pay by check over the phone by providing your routing number and account number.
- Cash Payment: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press FRONT COUNTER, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Rate Structure for Pioneer Press Obituaries
Understanding the rate structure is important for budgeting.
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge is $162 for an obituary up to 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (Over 10 Lines): For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20.
- Minimum Rate Application: Even if your ad is under 10 lines, the minimum rate of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For a second day of publication, the rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Example: For a 20-line obituary on the first run date, the cost would be $164.
- Photo Publication Fee: Each photo published is $125 per day.
- Example: Publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines for Obituary Submission
Meeting deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary appears on the 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 Requests (Non-Obituary)
The Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam submissions, which are remembrances rather than formal obituaries.
- Memoriam vs. Obituary: Memoriam submissions are designed for remembering a loved one who has passed, distinct from a formal death announcement.
- Different Rates: Note that rates for memoriam notices differ from obituary rates.
- Contact for Memoriam Information: For more information on memoriam submissions, please call 651-228-5280.
- Memoriam Submission: Submit memoriam ads to [email protected] or call 651-228-5280.
- Hours of Operation: The memoriam desk is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (CLOSED WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS).
By following these guidelines, you can effectively place a death notice or memoriam with the Pioneer Press, ensuring your announcement is handled with care and professionalism. For any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Pioneer Press obituary or memoriam desks directly.
