Submitting an obituary to the Pioneer Press can be a straightforward process when you have the right information. If you are looking to place an obituary or understand how to find Pioneer Press Obits For Today, this guide provides you with essential details and steps. The Pioneer Press obituary section serves as a respectful and informative space to announce the passing of loved ones. Understanding the submission guidelines, deadlines, and costs involved will help ensure a smooth and timely publication. This article outlines everything you need to know to submit an obituary to the Pioneer Press.
Submitting an Obituary to Pioneer Press
To begin the process of placing an obituary, you will need to gather specific information and send it via email to [email protected]. Currently, there is no online submission portal available through the Pioneer Press website, making email submission the primary method. For any immediate questions or concerns, you can directly contact their obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
General Information Needed for Obituary Submission
When you prepare to submit an obituary, ensure you include the following general details for contact and processing purposes:
- Your Full Name: Provide your complete legal name.
- Address: Include your full address, specifying City, State, and Zip Code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number where you can be reached.
- Alternate Phone Number: If available, provide a secondary phone number as well.
Obituary Specifications: Crafting Your Notice
The core of your submission is the obituary itself. Here’s what you need to specify:
- Name of Deceased: Clearly state the full name of the deceased.
- Obituary Text: Write the obituary text as you want it to appear in publication. This should include all the details you wish to share about the deceased’s life and passing.
- Photo Submission: Including a photo enhances the obituary. JPEG or PDF files are preferred for photo submissions. TIF and other file formats are also accepted, and the Pioneer Press will contact you if any issues arise with the photo file.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you want the obituary to be published. Running the obituary for more than one day can qualify for a discount, but this must be arranged when you schedule the initial run date. If you choose to include a photo, it must be featured on all run dates to qualify for any applicable discounts. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing and discount information.
Verification of Death Policy
The Pioneer Press has a mandatory verification process to ensure the authenticity of obituary notices. To comply with this policy, you must provide one of the following:
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Information: Provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society that is handling the arrangements. The Pioneer Press will directly contact them during 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 contact phone number is required for verification.
- Death Certificate: A death certificate is also acceptable as proof of death, serving as an alternative to funeral home/cremation society verification. Only one of these verification methods is necessary.
It’s important to allow sufficient time for the Pioneer Press to complete the verification process, especially if submitting during weekend hours when funeral homes or related institutions may have limited availability.
Policies on Guestbooks and External Websites
To maintain the integrity and focus of Pioneer Press obituaries, there are specific policies regarding external references:
- No External Media Source References: Obituaries published in the Pioneer Press, both in print and online, cannot include references to guestbooks or obituaries hosted on other media sources or websites.
- Funeral Home or Family Contact Website: You are permitted to include a website for the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes within the obituary. If you have questions about this policy, it’s best to contact the obituary desk for clarification.
The Obituary Submission Process Explained
Once you have submitted all the necessary information for the obituary, here’s what you can expect in the process:
- Proof Review: After submission, the Pioneer Press will send you a proof of the obituary via fax or email for your review before it is published in the newspaper. This proof will detail the cost and the scheduled publication dates.
- Careful Review is Crucial: It is imperative to review the proof meticulously. If any errors or changes are needed, you must notify the Pioneer Press before the publication deadline for that day’s paper.
- Post-Publication Error Responsibility: The Pioneer Press will not be held responsible for any errors that are present after the final proof has been approved and the obituary is published.
- Online Obituary Changes: For any modifications needed to an obituary that is already published online, you should contact the obituary desk directly via phone.
Payment and Rates for Pioneer Press Obituaries
Understanding the payment structure and rates is crucial for budgeting and ensuring your obituary is published as planned. Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before they are published. Payment must be completed by the specified deadline in the Pioneer Press deadline schedule.
Payment Procedures
After you have received and approved the obituary proof, you will need to arrange payment. The Pioneer Press accepts payments through the following methods:
- Credit Card: Credit card payments are accepted over the phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations. Call 651-228-5263 to make a credit card payment.
- EFT (Check by Phone): You can pay by providing your routing number and account number over the phone, essentially paying by check via electronic funds transfer.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted, but only at their front counter, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Rate Details for Obituaries and Photos
The cost of placing an obituary in the Pioneer Press is structured based on lines and photo inclusions:
- Minimum Charge: There is a minimum charge of $162 for obituaries that are up to 10 lines long.
- Cost Per Line After 10 Lines: For obituaries longer than 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20.
- Rate for Second Run Date: If you choose to run the obituary for a second day, the rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary for the first day would cost $164 (after the minimum), and for the second day, it would also cost $164 (20 lines x $8.20).
- Photo Charges: Each photo published with the obituary costs $125 per day of publication. For instance, using two photos in the paper for two days would result in four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines for Obituary Submission
Adhering to the deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary appears on your desired publication date. The Pioneer Press has strict deadlines, with no exceptions.
| 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 offers Memoriam submissions. These are different from obituaries as they are remembrances of a loved one who has passed, rather than announcements of a recent passing. The rates and submission process for memoriam notices are different from obituaries.
For more detailed information about memoriam submissions:
- Call: 651-228-5280
- Email: [email protected]
- Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays)
By following these guidelines, you can effectively submit an obituary to the Pioneer Press and ensure that your tribute is respectfully and accurately published. Whether you are submitting an obituary or looking for “pioneer press obits for today,” understanding these processes will help you navigate the system efficiently.
