Submitting an obituary to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press is a straightforward process designed to honor your loved one’s memory. This guide provides all the necessary information to place an obituary, ensuring a respectful and timely announcement. For submissions, please email [email protected]. For any immediate assistance, you can contact the obituary desk directly at 651-228-5263.
Essential Information for Obituary Submission
To begin the process of placing an obituary in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, ensure you have the following details ready for submission:
- Your Contact Information:
- Full Name
- Complete Address (City, State, Zip Code)
- Primary Phone Number
- Alternate Phone Number (optional)
Obituary Content Specifications
When preparing the obituary itself, please include the following elements:
- Deceased’s Full Name: The name of the person being memorialized.
- Obituary Text: The written tribute you wish to publish.
- Photograph (Optional but Recommended):
- Preferred file format: JPEG or PDF.
- Other formats like TIF are accepted; you will be contacted if there are compatibility issues.
- Desired Run Dates: Specify the dates you wish the obituary to appear in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
- Discounts are available for multiple-day runs, scheduled at the time of the initial placement.
- If including a photo, it must run on all publication days to qualify for a discount. Contact the obituary desk for detailed pricing.
Verification of Death Policy
The Twin Cities Pioneer Press requires verification of death to publish obituaries. Please provide one of the following:
- Funeral Home or Cremation Society Contact: Name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling arrangements. The Pioneer Press will contact them during business hours to verify the death.
- University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program (or similar): If applicable, provide the program’s phone number for verification.
- Death Certificate: A death certificate is also accepted as verification.
Providing this information ensures the Twin Cities Pioneer Press can confirm the passing and proceed with publishing the obituary. Please allow sufficient time for verification, especially during weekend hours when funeral home hours may be limited.
Guidelines on Guestbooks and External Websites
To maintain the integrity of Twin Cities Pioneer Press obituaries, references to external guestbooks or obituaries on other media platforms are not permitted. However, you may include a funeral home website or a family email address for contact within the obituary text. Please contact the obituary desk for clarification if needed.
Obituary Proofing and Publication Process
Upon receiving your obituary submission, the Twin Cities Pioneer Press obituary desk will send a proof for your review via fax or email. This proof will include the obituary text, scheduled publication dates, and total cost.
It is crucial to review this proof meticulously before approving it. Notify the obituary desk of any necessary corrections or changes immediately, adhering to the daily deadlines. Please note that the Twin Cities Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors after final proof approval and publication.
For online obituaries, any modifications after publication can be managed by contacting the obituary desk directly.
Payment Procedures
Pre-payment is mandatory for all obituary notices before they are published in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Payment must be completed by the specified daily deadline. After you receive and approve the proof, please call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Credit Card: Accepted via phone only, for PCI compliance reasons.
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer): Check by phone. Provide your routing number and account number.
- Cash: Accepted at the Pioneer Press front counter, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Obituary Rates
Understanding the rate structure for obituaries in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press is essential for budgeting:
- Minimum Charge: $162 for the first 10 lines.
- Cost Per Line (after 10 lines): $12.20 per line.
- Obituaries Under 10 Lines: Still charged the minimum rate of $162.
- Second Run Date Line Rate: $8.20 per line (starting from the first line).
- Example: A 20-line obituary on the first run date would cost $164.
- Photo Charge: $125 per photo, per day of publication.
- Example: Two photos published for two days would incur a total photo charge of $500 (4 photo charges).
Publication Deadlines
Adhering to the deadlines is crucial to ensure your obituary appears on the desired date in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
| 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; 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; 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 | Photo(s) by 2:30 PM |
Memoriam (Non-Obituary) Requests
For remembrance notices of loved ones that are not obituaries, Twin Cities Pioneer Press offers Memoriam services. Memoriam submissions serve as tributes to those who have passed but differ in rates and format from traditional obituaries.
For detailed information regarding Memoriam placements, please contact the dedicated Memoriam line at 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. The Memoriam desk is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, excluding weekends and holidays.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively place an obituary in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, ensuring your tribute is handled with care and professionalism.
