Submitting an obituary to the St. Paul Pioneer Press to commemorate a loved one’s life is a straightforward process. This guide provides all the necessary information for placing an obituary, ensuring a respectful and timely announcement. For submissions, please email the details outlined in the obituary checklist below to [email protected]. Currently, online submissions are not available. For any queries, you can reach the obituary desk directly at 651-228-5263.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the obituary placement process with the Pioneer Press, ensure you have the following information ready for submission:
Contact Details:
- Your Full Name: Please provide your complete name for contact purposes.
- Full Address: Include your city, state, and zip code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: (Optional) Provide a secondary phone number if available.
Obituary Specifications:
- Deceased’s Full Name: The complete name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary itself, detailing the life and passing of the deceased.
- Photograph (Optional): A photo of the deceased can be included. JPEG or PDF files are preferred, but TIF and other formats are also accepted. The Pioneer Press will contact you if there are any issues with the photo file.
- Preferred Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day 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 run on all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing information on multi-day runs and photo inclusions.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies
Adherence to the following policies ensures a smooth and respectful obituary publication process:
Verification of Death:
To uphold the integrity of the obituaries published, the Pioneer Press requires verification of death. This can be achieved through one of the following methods:
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Contact: Provide the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. The Pioneer Press will contact them during business hours to verify the passing.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or Similar): If the deceased’s body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar institution, their contact number is required for verification purposes.
Please ensure sufficient time for verification, especially considering limited weekend hours for some institutions. A death certificate is also acceptable as an alternative verification method, though only one of these verification options is necessary.
Restrictions on Guestbooks and External Websites:
The Pioneer Press maintains a policy against referencing external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries placed elsewhere. However, you may include the website of the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes within the obituary. For clarifications or questions regarding this policy, please contact the obituary desk.
Obituary Submission and Review Process
The process from submission to publication is designed to be clear and efficient:
Proof Review:
Upon receiving your obituary submission, the Pioneer Press will prepare a proof and send it to you via fax or email for review before publication in the newspaper. This proof will include the complete obituary text, the scheduled publication dates, and the total cost.
Careful Proofreading is Essential:
It is crucial to review the proof meticulously for any errors or necessary changes. Notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections before the stated daily deadlines to ensure accuracy in the final publication. Please understand that the Pioneer Press cannot be held responsible for errors that appear after final proof approval and after publication.
Online Obituary Amendments:
For any changes or amendments needed for the online version of the obituary after it has been published, please contact the obituary desk directly for assistance.
Payment Procedures for Obituaries
To ensure timely publication, pre-payment is required for all obituary notices. Payment must be completed before the deadline specified in the deadline schedule. After you receive and approve the proof, please call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Credit Card: For security reasons (PCI compliance), credit card payments are accepted exclusively over the phone.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) – Check by Phone: You can pay by providing your routing number and account number over the phone.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted in person at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Pioneer Press Obituary Rates
Understanding the rate structure helps in planning for obituary placement:
- Minimum Charge: The base cost for an obituary is $162 for the first ten lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line: For obituaries exceeding ten lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20.
- Minimum Line Charge: Even if an obituary is less than ten lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For subsequent publication days, the line rate is reduced to $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Example Calculation: An obituary running for 20 lines on the first day would cost $164 (example provided may be illustrative and current rates should be confirmed).
- Photo Charges: Each photograph published incurs a charge of $125 per day. For instance, publishing two photos for two days would result in four photo charges, totaling $500.
For precise and up-to-date pricing, especially for complex requests, it is always best to confirm directly with the Pioneer Press obituary desk.
Obituary Deadlines
Meeting the deadlines is critical to ensure your obituary is published on the requested day. Please adhere to the following schedule without exceptions:
| 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 | Must receive photo(s) by 4:30PM |
| Make changes by 5:00PM | |||
| SATURDAYS 10:00AM – 2:00PM | Sunday Publication | Must receive obituary content and payment same day by 1:30PM | Must receive photo(s) by 1:30PM |
| Make changes by 2:00PM | |||
| 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 Submissions (Non-Obituary)
In addition to obituaries, the Pioneer Press also publishes Memoriam submissions. These are distinct from obituaries, serving as remembrances for loved ones who have passed away previously. Rates and details for Memoriam submissions differ from those for obituaries.
For detailed information on placing a Memoriam, please contact the Pioneer Press directly at 651-228-5280 or via email at [email protected].
Memoriam Department Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays).
By following this guide, you can effectively place an obituary with the St. Paul MN Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and informative announcement for your community. For any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk.
