Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience. During these times, announcing their passing with dignity and respect is paramount. Pioneer Press obituaries in St. Paul, Minnesota, offer a trusted and time-honored way to inform the community and celebrate the life of someone special. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to place an obituary with the Pioneer Press, ensuring a smooth and respectful process during a sensitive time.
Submitting Your Pioneer Press Obituary: Direct and Personal
To ensure your obituary is handled with the utmost care, Pioneer Press prefers direct submissions. Currently, the most effective method to place your obituary is via email.
- Email Your Obituary: Send your complete obituary information to [email protected]. This allows for a direct line of communication with the obituary desk.
For those who prefer to speak with someone directly or have immediate questions, the Pioneer Press obituary desk is available by phone:
- Call the Obituary Desk: Reach out to the dedicated team at 651-228-5263. They are ready to assist you with any inquiries you may have regarding the obituary placement process.
Gathering the Essential Details for Your Obituary Submission
To streamline the obituary placement process, it’s helpful to have all necessary information prepared in advance. This includes both your personal contact details and the specifics of the obituary itself.
Your Contact Information
Pioneer Press requires your contact information to manage the obituary process and ensure smooth communication. Please provide the following:
- Full Name: Your complete first and last name.
- Address: Including City, State, and Zip Code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number where you can be reached.
- Alternate Phone Number (Optional): An additional contact number, if available, can be helpful.
Obituary Specifications
The heart of your submission is the obituary itself. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The written tribute you wish to publish. This can be as detailed or concise as you prefer, highlighting key aspects of their life and legacy.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A photograph adds a personal touch to the obituary.
- Preferred Format: JPEG or PDF files are ideal.
- Acceptable Formats: TIF and other file types are also accepted. If there are any issues with the photo format, Pioneer Press will contact you.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day Discount: Pioneer Press offers discounts for obituaries running for more than one day. To take advantage of this, the multi-day schedule must be confirmed on the first run date.
- Photo Discount: If you choose to include a photo, it must be included on all run dates to qualify for any applicable discounts. Contact Pioneer Press for detailed pricing information.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Ensuring Accuracy and Respect
Pioneer Press maintains certain policies to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all published obituaries. These policies are in place to provide a respectful and reliable service to the community.
Verification of Death
To uphold the accuracy of published obituaries, Pioneer Press requires verification of death. This is a standard procedure to ensure the information is factual and respectful.
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Contact: Provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. Pioneer Press will contact them during business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or Similar): If the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar organization, their phone number can be used for verification.
- Death Certificate: A death certificate is also accepted as verification. Only one form of verification (funeral home contact or death certificate) is necessary.
Please allow sufficient time for Pioneer Press to complete the verification process, especially during weekend hours when funeral home hours may be limited.
Guestbook and External Website Policies
To maintain focus on the obituary itself within the Pioneer Press platform, there are limitations on external references.
- No Guestbook or External Obituary Links: References to guestbooks or obituaries hosted on other media sources are not permitted in print and online obituaries placed with Pioneer Press.
- Funeral Home Website or Family Email: You may include a website for the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. Contact Pioneer Press with any specific questions regarding this policy.
The Obituary Proofing Process
Pioneer Press is committed to ensuring accuracy and your satisfaction with the final obituary.
- Proof for Review: Once you submit your obituary, Pioneer Press will send you a proof for review via fax or email before publication. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total price.
- Careful Review is Essential: Please review the proof meticulously for any errors or necessary changes.
- Deadline for Changes: Notify Pioneer Press of any errors or changes before the daily deadline to ensure corrections are made before publication in the Pioneer Press.
- Post-Publication Responsibility: Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors discovered after final proofing and publication.
Online Obituary Management
- Online Changes: Changes to an obituary once it is online can be managed by contacting the obituary desk directly. Call them at 651-228-5263 for assistance with online modifications.
Understanding Obituary Costs and Deadlines at Pioneer Press
Understanding the costs and deadlines associated with placing an obituary is crucial for timely publication.
Payment Procedures
- Pre-Payment Required: Pioneer Press requires pre-payment for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be received by the specified deadline.
- Payment After Proof Approval: Make payment arrangements after you have received and approved the obituary proof.
- Credit Card Payments (Phone Only): Credit card payments are accepted over the phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Check by Phone): You can pay by providing your routing number and account number for an Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Cash Payments (Front Counter): Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Obituary Rates
Pioneer Press obituary rates are structured based on the length of the obituary and the inclusion of photos.
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line: For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is $12.20.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For obituaries running on a second day, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting with the first line.
- Example: A 20-line obituary on the first run date would cost $164.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published is $125 per day.
- Example: Publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines for Submission
Adhering to deadlines is essential to ensure your obituary is published on your 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 Submissions: A Loving Remembrance
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam submissions.
- Remembrances, Not Obituaries: Memoriam submissions are distinct from obituaries. They are intended as remembrances of a loved one who has passed, and are not announcements of death.
- Different Rates: The rates for Memoriam submissions differ from obituary rates.
- Contact for Memoriam Information: For detailed information about Memoriam submissions, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
- Memoriam Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays).
Placing a Pioneer Press obituary is a meaningful way to honor and remember a loved one in St. Paul, Minnesota. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a respectful and accurate tribute to their life and legacy.
