To place an obituary in the Pioneer Press, you must submit it via email, including your contact facts, the obituary text, and desired run dates. Verification from a funeral home or cremation society is mandatory before publication, and pre-payment is required. Deadlines vary depending on the day of the week, so it’s crucial to adhere to them for timely publication. Multiple-day runs qualify for discounts, and photos must run on all days. Learn about the minimum charges per line, photo fees, and crucial deadlines for submission—Monday through Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays—to ensure your loved one’s remembrance is published promptly. News Directory 3 provides comprehensive information about this and other critical news articles. discover what’s next regarding publishing memoriam announcements.
How to Place an Obituary in the Pioneer Press
Updated May 30, 2025
To publish an obituary in the Pioneer Press, submissions must be sent via email to obits@pioneerpress.com. The Pioneer Press does not offer an online submission option. For questions,contact the obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
When submitting an obituary, include general contact information such as your full name, address (city, state, and ZIP code), phone number, and an alternate phone number if available. The obituary specification should contain the name of the deceased, the complete obituary text, a photo (JPEG or PDF preferred), and the desired run dates. Discounts are available for multiple-day runs, which must be scheduled on the first run date. If a photo is included, it must run on all days to qualify for the discount.
The Pioneer Press requires verification of death before publishing any obituaries. This is typically done by contacting the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. Provide the name and phone number of the funeral home. If the deceased donated their body to a program like the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program, that program’s contact information is required. A death certificate is also acceptable for verification.
The Pioneer Press does not allow references to other media sources, guestbooks, or obituaries placed elsewhere. However, a funeral home website or family email address can be included for contact purposes.
After submission, a proof will be sent for review, including the price and scheduled publication dates. Review this proof carefully, as the Pioneer Press is not responsible for errors after final proofing. Changes must be communicated before the daily deadlines.
Pre-payment is required for all obituaries. Payment can be made by calling 651-228-5263 after the proof is approved. Credit card payments are accepted by phone only. Electronic funds transfer (EFT) via check by phone is also an option. Cash payments are accepted at the front counter Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The minimum charge for an obituary is $162 for the first 10 lines, with each additional line costing $12.20. if the obituary is less than 10 lines, the minimum charge still applies. For a second run date, the rate is $8.20 per line. Photos are $125 per day.
Deadlines
Adherence to deadlines is crucial for timely publication of your obituary. The deadlines are as follows:
| Hours | Deadline (no exceptions) | Ad | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – friday 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. | Next Day Publication | obituary content and payment by 4:30 p.m.; changes by 5 p.m. | photo(s) by 4:30 p.m. |
| Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Sunday Publication | Obituary content and payment by 1:30 p.m.; changes by 2 p.m. | Photo(s) by 1:30 p.m. |
| Sundays 12 p.m.– 3 p.m. | Monday Publication | Obituary content, payment, and final changes by 2:30 p.m. | Photo(s) by 2:30 p.m. |
What’s next
For those wishing to publish a memoriam, which is a remembrance rather than an obituary, contact 651-228-5280 or email memoriams@pioneerpress.com. Memoriam submissions are accepted Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m.
