Placing an obituary in the Pioneer Press, serving St. Paul, Minnesota, is a straightforward process. This guide provides all the necessary information to submit an obituary, ensuring your loved one’s remembrance is respectfully and accurately published. Please note that obituaries cannot be placed through the website directly; submissions are handled via email.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the submission process, please compile the following details. This information is crucial for processing your obituary request efficiently.
Your Contact Details:
- Your Full Name
- Address (City, State, Zip Code)
- Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (optional)
Obituary Specifications:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary itself.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph of the deceased. JPEG or PDF files are preferred, but TIF and other formats are also accepted. If there are any issues with the photo, the obituary desk will contact you.
- Preferred Run Dates: Indicate the dates you wish the obituary to be published.
- Multiple Day Discount: Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day. To apply, the multiple-day schedule must be arranged at the time of the initial submission. Similarly, if a photo is included, it must run on all scheduled days to qualify for a discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing information.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies
Adherence to the following policies ensures a smooth and respectful obituary publication process with the Pioneer Press.
Verification of Death:
To maintain accuracy and respect, the Pioneer Press requires verification of death. Please provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. The Pioneer Press obituary desk will contact them during business hours to verify the passing. If the deceased donated their body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar organization, 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. Alternatively, a death certificate is also accepted as verification. Only one of these verification methods is necessary.
Policy on Guestbooks and External Websites:
When placing an obituary in the Pioneer Press, references to external guestbooks or obituaries published elsewhere are not permitted in the print and online versions. However, you may include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the obituary desk for clarification.
The Obituary Submission Process
Submitting your obituary to the Pioneer Press involves a clear and guided process.
Submission and Proofing:
Once your obituary submission is complete and sent to [email protected], the Pioneer Press will email or fax a proof copy for your review before publication in the newspaper. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total price.
It is crucial to review the proof carefully for any errors or necessary changes. Notify the Pioneer Press obituary desk of any corrections before the daily deadline to ensure accuracy in the Pioneer Press. The Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors that appear after final proof approval and publication.
Online Obituary Adjustments:
For any changes to an online obituary after publication, please contact the obituary desk directly by phone for assistance.
Payment Information and Rate Details
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the specified deadline in the schedule below. After you have received and approved the proof, please call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Payment Methods:
- Credit Card: For security reasons (PCI compliance), credit card payments are accepted by phone only.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Payment via phone using a check. Please provide your routing number and account number.
- Cash: Accepted in person at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Obituary Rates:
- Minimum Charge: $162 for obituaries up to 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (after 10 lines): $12.20 for each additional line beyond the first 10.
- Obituaries Under 10 Lines: Still charged the minimum rate of $162.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary on the first day would cost $164.
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo, per day of publication. For instance, two photos published for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Pioneer Press Obituary Deadlines
To ensure your obituary is published on your desired date in the Pioneer Press, please adhere strictly to the following deadlines. No exceptions can be made.
| 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 obituaries, the Pioneer Press also publishes Memoriam submissions, which are remembrances of loved ones who have passed. Please note that the 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].
Memoriam Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM (CLOSED WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS).
For any further questions or to submit your obituary, please contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263 or email [email protected].
