The St. Paul Pioneer Press serves as a vital platform for commemorating the lives of loved ones. For those wishing to publish an obituary, understanding the submission process is essential. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to place an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and accurate tribute.
Placing an Obituary: Step-by-Step Guide
Submitting an obituary to the Pioneer Press requires careful attention to detail. Here’s a breakdown of the necessary information and steps involved:
General Information Needed
When you reach out to place an obituary, be prepared to provide the following contact details:
- Your Full Name: For contact purposes.
- Address: Including City, State, and Zip Code for record-keeping.
- Phone Number: Your primary contact number.
- Alternate Phone Number: (Optional) A secondary number for communication.
Obituary Specifications
To ensure your obituary is published as desired, you’ll need to provide the following specifications:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary itself. This should be carefully proofread for accuracy and completeness.
- Photo: Submitting a photograph of the deceased is encouraged. 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.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to be published. Running the obituary for multiple days is possible, and discounts are available for multi-day runs scheduled from the outset. If including a photo, it must run on all publication days to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing information.
Verification of Death
The St. Paul Pioneer Press requires verification of death to publish an obituary. You must provide one of the following:
- 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 death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or similar): If the deceased’s body was donated to a program like the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program, their phone number is required for verification.
- Death Certificate: A death certificate is also accepted as verification. Only one of these verification methods is necessary.
It’s crucial to allow sufficient time for verification, especially when deadlines fall outside of standard business hours or on weekends.
Guestbooks and External Links Policy
To maintain the integrity of their obituary section, the St. Paul Pioneer Press has a policy regarding external links:
- No Guestbook or External Obituary References: References to guestbooks or obituaries hosted on other media sources or websites are not permitted within the Pioneer Press obituary.
- Funeral Home Website or Family Email: You may include a website link for the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. Contact the obituary desk if you have questions about this policy.
Obituary Process (Proofing)
The Pioneer Press ensures accuracy by providing a proofing process:
- Proof for Review: Once you submit your obituary, the Pioneer Press will fax or email a proof for your review before publication. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total price.
- Careful Review is Essential: It is critical to review the proof meticulously for any errors or necessary changes. Notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections before the publication deadline.
- Post-Publication Error Responsibility: The Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors discovered after publication if they were present in the final proof that you approved.
Online Obituaries
The Pioneer Press extends the reach of obituaries online:
- Online Changes: Adjustments to an online obituary after publication can be made by contacting the obituary desk directly. Call for assistance with online modifications.
Understanding Costs and Deadlines
Navigating the financial and time-sensitive aspects of obituary placement is important.
Payment Procedures
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be received by the specified deadline.
- Credit Card Payment: Accepted by phone only due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations. Call 651-228-5263 to make a credit card payment.
- EFT (Check by Phone): You can pay by providing your routing number and account number over the phone.
- Cash Payment: Cash is accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Rates Breakdown
Understanding the rate structure helps in budgeting for the obituary:
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (Over 10 Lines): Each line after the initial 10 is priced at $12.20.
- Minimum Rate Applies: Even if the obituary is shorter than 10 lines, the minimum rate of $162 still applies.
- Second Run Date Discount: For obituaries running for a second day, 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 for two days would result in four photo charges, totaling $500.
Deadlines Table
Adhering to deadlines is crucial to ensure timely publication. The following table outlines the deadlines for obituary submissions:
| 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 |
Memoriam Submissions
In addition to obituaries, the St. Paul Pioneer Press also publishes Memoriam notices:
- Memoriam vs. Obituary: Memoriam submissions are remembrances of a deceased loved one, distinct from obituaries announcing a recent passing.
- Different Rates: Rates for memoriam notices differ from obituary rates.
- Contact for Memoriam Information: For details on memoriam submissions, including rates and guidelines, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
- Memoriam Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM (CLOSED WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS). Submit memoriam ads to [email protected] or call 651-228-5280.
By following this guide, you can confidently navigate the process of placing an obituary or memoriam in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, ensuring a respectful and timely announcement. For any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Pioneer Press obituary desk directly.
