Submitting an obituary to the St. Paul Pioneer Press Newspaper is a straightforward process designed to help you honor your loved one’s memory with dignity and respect. This guide provides all the necessary information to place an obituary, ensuring a smooth and considerate experience during a difficult time.
Submitting Your Obituary to the Pioneer Press
To begin the process of publishing an obituary, please compile the following details and email them to [email protected]. Currently, online submissions through the website are not available. For any immediate assistance or questions, you can directly contact the obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
Essential Information for Submission
When you reach out to place an obituary, be sure to include the following general contact information:
- Your Full Name:
- Address: (Including City, State, and Zip Code)
- Phone Number:
- Alternate Phone Number: (If applicable)
Providing these details ensures that the St. Paul Pioneer Press team can effectively communicate with you throughout the obituary placement process.
Obituary Specifications
To prepare the actual obituary content, you will need to provide the following specifications:
- Name of Deceased: Please provide the full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: Compose the text of the obituary as you would like it to appear.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph of the deceased can be included. JPEG or PDF files are preferred, but TIF and other file formats are also accepted. The obituary desk will contact you if there are any issues with the submitted photo.
- Ad Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish for the obituary to be published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press Newspaper.
- Multi-Day Discount: The Pioneer Press offers discounts 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 for all scheduled days to qualify for the discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed information on multi-day discounts.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies & Guidelines
The St. Paul Pioneer Press has established clear policies to ensure the integrity and accuracy of all published obituaries.
Verification of Death
To uphold the standards of publication, verification of death is mandatory. When submitting an obituary, 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’s body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their contact number will suffice for verification purposes.
Please allow sufficient time for the verification process, especially during weekends when business hours may be limited. A death certificate is also accepted as an alternative to funeral home/cremation society information, but only one of these verification methods is required.
Guestbooks and External Websites
To maintain editorial consistency and avoid conflicts of interest, the St. Paul Pioneer Press does not permit references to 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 within the obituary itself. For any clarifications regarding this policy, please contact the obituary desk.
The Obituary Submission Process
Once you have submitted all the necessary information, the St. Paul Pioneer Press obituary team will prepare a proof of the obituary. This proof, which will be sent to you via fax or email for your review, will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total cost.
It is crucial to carefully review this proof for any errors or necessary changes. Please notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections before the publication deadline for the intended run date. The newspaper cannot be held responsible for errors that appear after the final proof has been approved.
For online obituaries, changes can be made by contacting the obituary desk directly. Please call them with any questions or modifications needed for online versions.
Understanding Obituary Costs and Payment
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be completed by the specified deadline in the deadline schedule. After you have received and approved the obituary proof, please call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Rate Details
The pricing structure for obituaries in the St. Paul Pioneer Press is as follows:
- Minimum Charge: $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Additional Line (after 10 lines): $12.20 per line.
- Obituaries under 10 lines are charged the minimum rate of $162.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: $8.20 per line (starting from the first line). For example, a 20-line obituary on the first run date would cost $164.
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo per day of publication. For instance, publishing two photos for two days would incur four photo charges, totaling $500.
Payment Methods
The St. Paul 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 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.
Deadlines for Obituary Submission
Adhering to the deadlines is essential to ensure your obituary is published on the requested day. Please note that these deadlines are strictly enforced.
| 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 4:30 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 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 same day by 2:30 PM | Must receive photo(s) by 2:30 PM |
Memoriam Notices – Remembering Loved Ones
In addition to obituaries, the St. Paul Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam submissions. These notices serve as remembrances of a loved one who has passed and are distinct from traditional obituaries. Please note that the rates for memoriam notices differ from obituary rates.
For more information regarding memoriam notices, including specific details and pricing, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The memoriam desk is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed on weekends and holidays.
For any further assistance or to begin placing an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press Newspaper, please do not hesitate to contact their dedicated obituary desk. They are ready to assist you with compassion and professionalism during this important process.
