Submitting an obituary to the Pioneer Press might seem daunting during a difficult time, but understanding the process can alleviate stress. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to place an obituary with Pioneer Press, ensuring your loved one’s remembrance is handled with care and accuracy.
General Information Needed for Obituary Submission
To begin the process of placing an obituary, you will need to compile some essential information. Pioneer Press requires the following general details for every obituary submission:
- Your Full Name: This is for contact purposes regarding the obituary.
- Address: Please provide your full address, including City, State, and Zip Code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: If available, providing an alternate number ensures they can reach you.
Obituary Specifications
Once you have your general information ready, focus on the specifics of the obituary itself. Pioneer Press requires the following details to create the obituary notice:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary. This should include all biographical information, service details, and any special messages you wish to include.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A photograph of the deceased adds a personal touch. Pioneer Press prefers JPEG or PDF files, but can accept TIF and other formats. They will contact you if there are any issues.
- Ad Run Dates: Indicate the dates you want the obituary to appear in the Pioneer Press. Running the obituary for multiple days is possible, and discounts are available for consecutive runs.
- Multi-Day Run Discount: Pioneer Press offers discounts for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this, you must schedule all run dates on the initial submission. If including a photo, it must run on all days to qualify for the discount. Contact Pioneer Press for detailed discount information.
Verification Policies for Pioneer Press Obituaries
Pioneer Press has specific verification policies to ensure the authenticity of each obituary. These policies are in place to maintain accuracy and prevent misinformation:
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Verification: To publish an obituary, you must 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: If the deceased donated their body 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 acceptable for death verification. Only one of these verification methods is necessary.
- Guestbook and Outside Website Policy: Pioneer Press does not allow references to external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries. However, you can include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes. Contact Pioneer Press if you have questions about this policy.
Obituary Submission Process at Pioneer Press
Submitting your obituary to Pioneer Press involves a straightforward process designed to ensure accuracy and satisfaction:
- Proof Review: After you submit all the necessary information, Pioneer Press will send you a proof of the obituary via fax or email for your review before it is published. This proof will include the obituary text, photo (if provided), scheduled run dates, and the total price.
- Careful Review is Crucial: It is essential to review the proof carefully for any errors or necessary changes. Notify Pioneer Press of any corrections before the daily deadline.
- Post-Publication Error Responsibility: Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors discovered after the final proof approval and publication.
Managing Online Obituaries
Pioneer Press obituaries are published both in print and online. Managing online obituaries is simple:
- Online Changes: Any changes to an online obituary can be handled by contacting the obituary desk directly. Call them with any required modifications.
Payment Procedures for Obituaries
Pioneer Press requires pre-payment for all obituary notices before publication. Ensure payment is made by the specified deadline to have the obituary published as scheduled.
- Pre-Payment Required: Payment must be completed before the obituary is published.
- Credit Card Payment: 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 over the phone.
- Cash Payment: Cash payments are accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Understanding Obituary Rates
Pioneer Press obituary rates are structured to accommodate different lengths and features:
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line After Minimum: Each line after the initial 10 lines is charged at $12.20.
- Obituaries Under 10 Lines: Even if the obituary is shorter than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For the second day of publication, the line rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Photo Charges: Publishing a photo costs $125 per day, per photo. For example, running 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. Pioneer Press has strict deadlines that must be followed without exception:
| 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 Notices: Remembering Loved Ones
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam notices. These are remembrances of loved ones who have passed but are distinct from obituaries in rates and purpose.
- Memoriam Submissions: Memoriam notices are for remembrance and typically published on anniversaries or special dates.
- Contact for Memoriam Information: For details on memoriam submissions and rates, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
- Memoriam Hours: Memoriam services are available Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM (CLOSED WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS).
Submitting an obituary to Pioneer Press involves several key steps, from gathering information to understanding deadlines and payment. By following this guide, you can navigate the process smoothly and ensure a respectful and accurate tribute to your loved one in Pioneer Press Obituaries Today. For any further assistance, contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk directly.
