Placing an obituary in a reputable local newspaper like the Pioneer Press in St. Paul is a respectful way to announce the passing of a loved one and share details about memorial services. Pioneer Press provides a platform to inform the community and create a lasting tribute. This guide outlines the process for submitting an obituary to the Pioneer Press, ensuring a smooth and respectful experience during a difficult time.
To begin the obituary placement process with Pioneer Press St. Paul, you will need to compile essential information and send it via email to [email protected]. Currently, online submissions through their website are not available. For any immediate assistance or queries, you can directly contact their obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
Gathering Your Information for Pioneer Press Obituary Submission
Before contacting Pioneer Press, ensure you have the following details ready to streamline the submission:
General Contact Information:
- Your Full Name: This is the contact person for the obituary.
- Address: Include your City, State, and Zip Code for correspondence.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: (Optional) Providing a secondary contact number ensures they can reach you.
Obituary Specifics for Pioneer Press:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: Prepare the complete text of the obituary you wish to publish.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A JPEG or PDF photo is preferred. TIF and other formats are also accepted, and Pioneer Press will contact you if there are any issues. Including a photo personalizes the obituary significantly.
- Preferred Run Dates: Specify the dates you would like the obituary to appear in the Pioneer Press.
- Multi-Day Run Discount: Pioneer Press offers discounts for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this, it must be scheduled initially for the first run date. If a photo is used, it must also run for all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact Pioneer Press for detailed discount information.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Ensuring Verification and Respect
Pioneer Press has specific policies in place to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of obituaries.
Verification of Death:
To publish an obituary in Pioneer Press St. Paul, verification of death is mandatory. 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 passing. Alternatively, if the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their contact number can be provided for verification. A death certificate is also acceptable as proof, but only one form of verification is necessary. Ensure to provide this information to avoid delays, especially during weekend submissions due to limited funeral home hours.
Guidelines Regarding Guestbooks and External Websites:
Pioneer Press policy restricts referencing external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries. When placing an obituary with Pioneer Press, you cannot include links to guestbooks or obituaries published elsewhere. However, you can include the website of the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. Clarify any specific concerns regarding this policy directly with the Pioneer Press obituary desk.
The Obituary Placement Process with Pioneer Press
Submitting your obituary to Pioneer Press involves a straightforward process:
Submission and Proofing:
Once you have submitted all the necessary information, Pioneer Press will prepare a proof and send it to you via fax or email for review before publication. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total cost.
Careful Review is Crucial:
It is imperative to review the proof meticulously. Check for any errors or necessary changes. Notify Pioneer Press of any corrections before the stated daily deadlines. Pioneer Press will not be held responsible for errors after the final proof approval and publication.
Online Obituary Amendments:
For any changes needed to the online version of the obituary post-publication, contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk directly. They can assist with online modifications.
Payment Procedures and Rate Details for Pioneer Press Obituaries
Pioneer Press requires pre-payment for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the deadline specified in their schedule. Contact 651-228-5263 to provide your payment information after you have received and approved the proof.
Payment Methods Accepted:
- Credit Card: Payments via credit card are accepted over the phone due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): You can pay by providing your routing number and account number over the phone (check by phone).
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at their front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Understanding Obituary Rates:
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Line Rate: Each line after the initial 10 lines is priced at $12.20. Even if the obituary is under 10 lines, the minimum rate of $162 applies.
- Discounted Second Run Rate: For a second day of publication, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Photo Charges: Publishing a photo incurs a charge of $125 per day, per photo. For example, running two photos for two days would result in a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Pioneer Press Obituary Deadlines: Plan Accordingly
Adhering to the deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary is published on your desired date.
| Day | Hours | Deadline (No Exceptions) | Ad Deadline | Photo Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Next Day Publication | Must receive obituary content and payment same day by 4:30 PM. Make changes by 5:00 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 4:30 PM |
| Saturdays | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Sunday Publication | Must receive obituary content and payment same day by 1:30 PM. Make changes by 2:00 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 1:30 PM |
| Sundays | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Monday Publication | Must receive obituary content, payment, and final changes same day by 2:30 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 2:30 PM |
Memoriam Notices with Pioneer Press St. Paul
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam services. Memoriam notices are remembrances for loved ones who have passed and are distinct from obituaries with different rates. For more information on Memoriam notices, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
Memoriam Contact Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays).
For placing a memoriam, submit your request to [email protected] or call 651-228-5280.
By following this comprehensive guide, you can effectively place an obituary in the Pioneer Press St. Paul, ensuring a respectful and timely announcement for your loved one. Remember to prepare all necessary information, adhere to the deadlines, and contact Pioneer Press directly for any specific questions or assistance.
