Placing an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press is a straightforward process designed to help you announce the passing of a loved one with dignity and respect. This guide provides all the necessary information to submit an obituary, ensuring a smooth and respectful process during a difficult time. The St. Paul Pioneer Press offers both online and print obituary services to commemorate and share the life of the deceased with the community.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the obituary placement process, please gather the following general information. This will help the St. Paul Pioneer Press obituary desk to process your request efficiently.
- Your Full Name: Provide your complete legal name for contact purposes.
- Address: Include your full address, specifying City, State, and Zip Code for record-keeping.
- Phone Number: A primary phone number where you can be easily reached.
- Alternate Phone Number: If available, provide a secondary phone number as an additional point of contact.
Obituary Specific Details
Along with your contact information, you will need to provide specific details about the obituary itself. Preparing this information in advance will expedite the submission process.
- Name of Deceased: The full name of the person who has passed away.
- Obituary Text: The written content of the obituary. This can include biographical information, achievements, family details, and service arrangements.
- Photo (Optional): A photograph of the deceased can be included. JPEG or PDF files are preferred, but TIF and other formats are also accepted. Be aware that using a photo may affect the cost.
- Preferred Run Dates: Specify the dates you would like the obituary to be published. Note that discounts are available for obituaries running for more than one day, and must be scheduled on the first run date. If a photo is used, it must run for all scheduled days to qualify for a discount.
Key Policies for Obituary Submissions
The St. Paul Pioneer Press has specific policies in place to ensure the accuracy and integrity of their obituary section. Understanding these policies is crucial for a successful submission.
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 death. Alternatively, if the deceased’s body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program or a similar program, their phone number can be provided for verification. A death certificate is also acceptable as proof of death, offering an alternative to funeral home verification. Please allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral homes may have limited availability.
Guestbook and External Websites
When placing an obituary with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, references to external media sources that host guestbooks or obituaries are not permitted. However, you can include the website address for the funeral home or a family email address for contact purposes. If you have questions regarding this policy, it is recommended to contact the obituary desk directly for clarification.
The Obituary Submission Process
Submitting your obituary is designed to be as supportive as possible. Once you have prepared all necessary information, email it to [email protected]. After submission, the obituary desk will send you a proof via fax or email for your review before publication. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and the total cost. Carefully review this proof for any errors or necessary changes. It is crucial to notify the Pioneer Press of any corrections before the publication deadline for the scheduled day. Please note that the St. Paul Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors after final proof approval and publication. For online obituary changes post-publication, contact the obituary desk for assistance.
Payment and Rates for Obituaries
Pre-payment is required for all obituary notices before publication. Payment must be made by the specified deadline in the deadline schedule. After you receive and approve the proof, call 651-228-5263 to provide your payment information.
Payment Procedure
- Credit Card: Payments via credit card are accepted over the phone only, due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations.
- EFT (Check by Phone): You can pay by providing your routing number and account number over the phone.
- Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the St. Paul Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Rate Details
Understanding the rate structure will help you plan for the cost of the obituary.
- Minimum Charge: The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (Over 10 Lines): For obituaries exceeding 10 lines, each additional line is charged at $12.20. Obituaries under 10 lines will still be charged the minimum rate.
- Second Run Date Rate: For obituaries running for a second day, the rate is $8.20 per line, starting from the first line.
- Photo Charge: Each photo published incurs a charge of $125 per day. For example, publishing two photos for two days would result in a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Deadlines for Obituary Submission
Adhering to the deadlines is essential to ensure your obituary is published on your desired date. The deadlines are strict and must be followed without exception.
| Day | Hours | Deadline (No Exceptions) | Ad | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 9:00 AM – 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 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 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 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | 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 (Non-Obituary)
In addition to obituaries, the St. Paul Pioneer Press also offers Memoriam notices. These are remembrances of loved ones who have passed and differ in rates from traditional obituaries. For more information on memoriam submissions, please call 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The office hours for memoriam inquiries are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and they are closed on weekends and holidays.
Contact Information for Obituaries
For any questions or further assistance with placing an obituary, please contact the St. Paul Pioneer Press obituary desk directly at 651-228-5263 or email [email protected].
