Navigating the process of announcing the passing of a loved one can be challenging. Pioneer Press, a trusted voice in the community, including for avid Vikings followers, offers a straightforward service for placing obituaries. This guide provides all the necessary information to ensure your notice is published accurately and respectfully.
General Information and Specifications for Your Obituary
To begin, you will need to compile some essential information. Please prepare the following details when you reach out to Pioneer Press:
- Your Full Name: For contact purposes regarding the obituary.
- Address: Including City, State, and Zip Code for record keeping.
- Phone Number: A primary contact number for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: (Optional) An additional number for contact if needed.
When submitting your obituary, ensure you have these specifications ready:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary itself.
- Photo: Submit a photograph in JPEG or PDF format if you wish to include one. TIF and other formats are also accepted, and the Pioneer Press team will assist if any issues arise with the photo file.
- Preferred Run Dates: Indicate the dates you would like the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day Run Discount: Pioneer Press offers discounts for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this, it must be scheduled at the time of the first run date. If a photo is included, it must run for all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact Pioneer Press for detailed pricing information.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Verification and Guidelines
Verification of Death:
Pioneer Press prioritizes accuracy and requires verification of death before publishing any obituary. To facilitate this, you must provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. Pioneer Press will directly contact them during business hours to verify the passing. Alternatively, if the deceased’s body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their contact information can be provided for verification.
Providing this information is crucial for timely processing, especially considering weekend hours when funeral homes may have limited availability. A death certificate is also accepted as verification, offering another convenient option. Please note that only one form of verification (funeral home contact or death certificate) is necessary.
Guestbooks and External References:
To maintain clarity and focus within the Pioneer Press obituary section, references to external guestbooks or obituaries published on other platforms are not permitted. However, you may include a funeral home website or a family email address for those seeking further contact or information. If you have questions about this policy, please contact the obituary desk for clarification.
The Obituary Placement Process:
Once you have submitted all the required information, Pioneer Press will prepare a proof of the obituary and send it to you via fax or email for review. This proof will include the total price and the scheduled publication dates.
It is essential to carefully review this proof for any errors or necessary changes. Please notify Pioneer Press of any amendments before the stated daily deadlines to ensure accuracy in the final publication. Pioneer Press cannot be held responsible for errors discovered after the final proof approval and publication.
Online Obituary Modifications:
For any changes to an obituary once it is online, please contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk directly. They will assist you with any necessary modifications.
Payment Procedures and Rate Information
Pre-Payment Requirement:
Pioneer Press requires pre-payment for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be completed by the deadline specified in the schedule to ensure timely publication. After you receive and approve the obituary proof, please contact 651-228-5263 with your payment details.
Payment Options:
- Credit Card: For security reasons, credit card payments are accepted by phone only, adhering to PCI (Payment Card Industry) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): You can pay by phone using a check. Please provide your routing number and account number for this method.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted in person at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Obituary Rates:
Understanding the rate structure helps in planning for obituary placement:
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162, covering the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line: For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each subsequent line is charged at $12.20. Even if the ad is under 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For a second day of publication, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary on the first day would cost $164.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published incurs a charge of $125 per day. For instance, using two photos in the paper for two days would result in a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Publication Deadlines
Adhering to the deadlines is crucial to ensure your obituary is published on your desired date. Please note that these deadlines are strict and without exceptions:
| Schedule | Deadline (No Exceptions) | Content & Payment Deadline | Photo Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) – Next Day Publication | 4:30 PM Same Day (Content & Payment) / 5:00 PM Same Day (Changes) | 4:30 PM Same Day | 4:30 PM Same Day |
| Saturdays (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) – Sunday Publication | 1:30 PM Same Day (Content & Payment) / 2:00 PM Same Day (Changes) | 1:30 PM Same Day | 1:30 PM Same Day |
| Sundays (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM) – Monday Publication | 2:30 PM Same Day (Content, Payment, & Final Changes) | 2:30 PM Same Day | 2:30 PM Same Day |
Memoriam Requests (Non-Obituary)
In addition to obituaries, Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam services. Memoriams are remembrances of loved ones who have passed and are distinct from obituaries. Rates for memoriam submissions differ.
For more information regarding memoriam placements, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The memoriam desk is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed weekends and holidays).
For any further questions or to place an obituary, please contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263 or email [email protected]. Pioneer Press is here to assist you with respectful and timely announcements.
