Submitting an obituary to the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press is a straightforward process designed to honor your loved one’s memory. This guide provides all the necessary information for placing an obituary, ensuring a respectful and timely announcement. Please follow the instructions below to submit your notice via email to [email protected]. For any queries, you can reach the obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
When you contact St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press to place an obituary, please have the following general information ready:
- Your Full Name
- Your Complete Address (City, State, Zip Code)
- Primary Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (if applicable)
This contact information is crucial for the Pioneer Press obituary team to process your request efficiently and communicate with you throughout the submission process.
Obituary Specifications for Pioneer Press
To ensure your obituary is published accurately in the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press, please include the following specifications in your submission:
- Name of the Deceased: The full name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary. Please ensure this is proofread carefully before submission.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph of the deceased can be included. JPEG or PDF files are preferred. TIF and other file formats are also accepted; you will be contacted if there are any issues with the photo file.
- Preferred Ad Run Dates: Indicate the dates you wish for the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day Run Discount: Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day. To avail of this discount, the multi-day schedule must be confirmed on the first run date. If a photo is included, it must also run on all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press obituary desk for detailed discount information.
Key Policies for Obituary Placement in the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press
St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press has specific policies to maintain the integrity and accuracy of obituary announcements.
Verification of Death
To publish an obituary, verification of death is mandatory. You must provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. The Pioneer Press obituary desk will contact them during business hours to verify the passing. Alternatively, if the deceased body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar organization, their contact number can be provided for verification. A death certificate is also acceptable as verification, but only one of these verification methods is required. Please allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral home hours may be limited.
Guestbook and External Website References
When placing an obituary with St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press, references to external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries are not permitted in the print and online versions. However, you can include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the obituary desk for clarification.
The Obituary Submission Process with Pioneer Press
Once you have submitted all the required information to St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press, the following process will be followed:
- Proof Review: A proof of the obituary will be faxed or emailed to you for review before publication in the newspaper. This proof will include the total price and the scheduled publication dates.
- Careful Review is Essential: It is crucial to review the proof meticulously. Notify the Pioneer Press obituary desk of any errors or necessary changes before the publication deadline for the scheduled run date.
- Post-Publication Error Responsibility: St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press will not be held responsible for errors discovered after the final proof has been approved and the obituary has been published.
Managing Online Obituaries
Changes to online obituaries published by St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press can be made through the obituary desk. Please call them directly for any modifications needed to the online version of the obituary.
Payment Information and Rates for Obituaries
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication by the specified deadline.
Payment Procedures
After you have received and approved the obituary proof, please call 651-228-5263 with your payment information. St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press accepts the following payment methods:
- Credit Card: Payments are accepted over the phone only due to PCI (Payment Card Industry) regulations.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Payment via check by phone is available. Please provide your bank routing number and account number.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Rate Details for Obituaries in Pioneer Press
Understanding the rates for obituaries in St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press is important for budgeting.
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (After 10 Lines): For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20.
- Minimum Line Charge: 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 line rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line. For instance, a 20-line obituary running for the first day would cost $164.
- Photo Charges: Each photo published is $125 per day. For example, publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines for Obituary Submissions to Pioneer Press
Adhering to the deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary is published on your desired date in the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press.
| 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 |
Please note that these deadlines are strictly enforced to maintain the publication schedule of the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press.
Memoriam (Non-Obituary) Requests
In addition to obituaries, St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam notices. Unlike obituaries, Memoriams are remembrances of loved ones who have passed and are not necessarily announcing a recent death. The rates for Memoriam submissions are different from obituary rates.
For more information on placing a Memoriam, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
Memoriam Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (CLOSED WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS).
By following this comprehensive guide, placing an obituary or memoriam in the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press can be handled smoothly and respectfully. For any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact their dedicated obituary and memoriam teams.
