When you need to announce the passing of a loved one, publishing an obituary in a reputable newspaper like the Saint Paul Pioneer Press is a time-honored tradition. This guide provides you with all the essential information and steps to submit an obituary to the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, ensuring your announcement is handled with care and reaches the community effectively. Understanding the process and requirements will help you during this sensitive time.
General Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the process of placing an obituary, you will need to compile some general contact details. The Saint Paul Pioneer Press obituary desk requires the following information from the person submitting the obituary:
- Your Full Name
- Address (including City, State, and Zip Code)
- Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (optional, but recommended)
This information is for contact purposes and ensures the obituary desk can reach you regarding your submission. Please provide accurate details for smooth communication.
Obituary Specification Checklist
Submitting the obituary itself requires specific details about the deceased and your preferences for the announcement. Ensure you have the following information ready when you contact the obituary desk:
- Name of Deceased: Full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary. This should include biographical information, details about their life, and service arrangements if applicable.
- Photo: A photograph of the deceased to accompany the obituary. JPEG or PDF files are preferred, but other formats like TIF are also accepted. The obituary desk will contact you if there are any issues with the photo file.
- Ad Run Dates: Indicate the dates you wish for the obituary to be published. Running the obituary for multiple days is possible and may qualify for a discount.
- Discount for Multiple Days: Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this, you must schedule all run dates at the time of the initial submission. If you include a photo, it must also be used for all scheduled days for the discount to apply. Contact the obituary desk for detailed discount information.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies
The Saint Paul Pioneer Press has specific policies to ensure the accuracy and integrity of obituaries published. Familiarizing yourself with these policies is crucial for a successful submission.
Verification of Death
To maintain the authenticity of obituary announcements, the Pioneer Press requires verification of death. You must provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. The obituary desk will contact them during their business hours to verify the passing. If the deceased donated their body to a program like the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program, their contact number can be used for verification instead.
Allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral homes may have limited availability. Alternatively, a death certificate is also accepted as verification, but only one of these verification methods is necessary.
Guestbook and Outside Websites
The Saint Paul Pioneer Press policy does not allow references to external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries placed elsewhere. However, you can include the website of the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes within the obituary. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the obituary desk for clarification.
Obituary Process – Proofing and Deadlines
Once you submit your obituary, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press will send you a proof for review via fax or email before it is published in the newspaper. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total price.
Carefully review the proof for any errors or necessary changes. Notify the Pioneer Press obituary desk of any corrections before the stated daily deadline. The newspaper is not responsible for errors that appear after final proofing and publication.
Online Obituary Management
Changes to obituaries published online can be made by contacting the obituary desk directly. Call them with any amendments or questions regarding online obituaries.
Payment Procedure
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the specified deadline in the deadline schedule. After you receive and approve the proof, contact the obituary desk at 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Credit Card: Payments are accepted over the phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): You can pay by check over the phone. Provide your routing number and account number.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the FRONT COUNTER, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Obituary Rates and Costs
Understanding the rate structure will help you estimate the cost of publishing the obituary.
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge is $162 for obituaries up to 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (After 10 Lines): For obituaries longer than 10 lines, each additional line costs $12.20.
- Minimum Rate: Even if the obituary is under 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For the second day of publication, the cost is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For example, a 20-line obituary running for the first day would cost $164.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published costs $125 per day. For instance, publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines for Submission
Adhering to the deadlines is crucial to ensure your obituary is published on your requested day. The deadlines are strict and 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 on the same day by 4:30 PM. Make changes by 5:00 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 4:30 PM |
| SATURDAYS 10:00AM – 2:00PM | Sunday Publication | Must receive obituary content and payment on the same day by 1:30 PM. Make changes by 2:00 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 1:30 PM |
| SUNDAYS 12:00PM – 3:00PM | Monday Publication | Must receive obituary content, payment, and final changes on the same day by 2:30 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 2:30 PM |
Memoriam Submissions (Non-Obituary)
In addition to obituaries, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press also publishes Memoriam submissions. These are remembrances of loved ones who have passed and differ from obituaries in rates and format.
For information regarding Memoriam submissions, including rates and guidelines, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The Memoriam desk is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on weekends and holidays.
For any further assistance or to submit your obituary, please contact the Saint Paul Pioneer Press obituary desk at 651-228-5263 or email [email protected]. They are available to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have, helping you to respectfully announce the passing of your loved one in the Saint Paul community.
