Placing an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press to commemorate a loved one’s life is a straightforward process. This guide provides all the necessary information to submit an obituary, ensuring a respectful and timely announcement. Please note that obituaries cannot be placed through the website directly; submissions are handled via email. For any assistance, the obituary desk is available at 651-228-5263.
Submitting Your Obituary to the Pioneer Press
To begin the obituary placement process with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, you will need to compile specific information and send it via email to [email protected]. Here’s what you need to prepare:
General Information Needed for Obituary Submission
Ensure you include the following personal details in your email:
- Your Full Name: This is for contact purposes regarding the obituary.
- Address: Please provide your full address including City, State, and Zip Code.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number for communication.
- Alternate Phone Number: If available, an additional phone number is helpful.
Obituary Specifications: Crafting the Notice
The core of your submission is the obituary itself. Please provide the following details clearly:
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: Compose the obituary exactly as you wish it to appear. Carefully review your text for accuracy and completeness before submitting.
- Photo (Optional but Recommended): A photograph can significantly enhance the obituary.
- File Format: JPEG or PDF is preferred. TIF and other formats are also accepted, but you may be contacted if there are compatibility issues.
- Desired Run Dates: Indicate the dates you wish the obituary to be published.
- Multi-Day Discount: Discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day. To apply, the schedule must be set on the first run date.
- Photo Discount: If you include a photo, it must run on all publication days to qualify for a multi-day discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing.
Pioneer Press Obituary Policies: Important Guidelines
The St. Paul Pioneer Press has specific policies to ensure the integrity and accuracy of published obituaries.
Verification of Death: Ensuring Authenticity
To publish an obituary, verification of death is mandatory. You must provide one of the following:
- Funeral Home/Cremation Society Contact: The name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements are required. The Pioneer Press obituary desk will contact them during business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or Similar): If the deceased donated their body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar organization, provide their phone number for verification.
It is crucial to provide this information to avoid delays, especially during weekends with limited business hours for these institutions. A death certificate is also accepted, but only one form of verification is necessary.
Guestbook and Outside Website References Policy
To maintain editorial consistency, obituaries in the St. Paul Pioneer Press cannot reference guestbooks or obituaries placed on external media sources. However, you may include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact information. If you have questions about this policy, please contact the obituary desk.
The Obituary Placement Process: From Submission to Publication
Understanding the process ensures a smooth experience when placing an obituary.
Submission, Proofing, and Deadlines
Once your obituary submission is complete, the St. Paul Pioneer Press will email or fax you a proof for review. This proof will include the obituary text, photo (if provided), scheduled publication dates, and the total cost.
Crucially, review the proof very carefully. Notify the Pioneer Press obituary desk of any errors or necessary changes immediately, before the daily deadline. The Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors after final proof approval and publication.
Online Obituary Amendments
Changes to an online obituary after publication can be requested through the obituary desk. Contact them directly for any modifications needed.
Understanding Obituary Costs and Payment Procedures
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the specified deadline in the schedule below, after you have received and approved the proof. Contact 651-228-5263 to arrange payment once you have your proof and are ready to proceed.
Rate Details for Obituaries
- Minimum Charge: $162 for obituaries up to 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (After 10 Lines): $12.20 for each additional line beyond the first 10.
- Minimum Rate Application: Even if your obituary is less than 10 lines, the minimum charge of $162 applies.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: For obituaries running for a second day, the rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Example: A 20-line obituary running for the first day would cost $164 (after the minimum 10 lines).
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo, per day of publication.
- Example: Two photos published for two days would incur 4 photo charges, totaling $500.
Payment Methods Accepted
- Credit Card: Accepted by phone only for security reasons (PCI regulations).
- EFT (Check by Phone): Provide your routing number and account number for payment via electronic funds transfer.
- Cash: Accepted in person at the front counter, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Deadlines for Obituary Submission to Pioneer Press
Adhering to deadlines is essential to ensure your obituary is published on the requested day.
| Hours | Deadline (No Exceptions) | Ad | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Next Day Publication | Obituary content and payment by 4:30 PM same day. Changes by 5:00 PM | Photo(s) by 4:30 PM |
| SATURDAYS 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Sunday Publication | Obituary content and payment by 1:30 PM same day. Changes by 2:00 PM | Photo(s) by 1:30 PM |
| SUNDAYS 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Monday Publication | Obituary content, payment, and final changes by 2:30 PM same day | Photo(s) by 2:30 PM |
Memoriam (Non-Obituary) Requests
Memoriam notices are distinct from obituaries. They serve as remembrances for loved ones who have passed but are not recent death announcements. Rates for memoriam notices differ from obituary rates.
For information regarding memoriam submissions, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
Memoriam Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Weekends and Holidays).
Contact Information for Obituaries and Memoriams
For obituary inquiries, contact the obituary desk at 651-228-5263 or [email protected]. For memoriam inquiries, call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected].
