Letters: ‘Let’s not make it harder to learn,’ he wrote

Letters: ‘Let’s not make it harder to learn,’ he wrote

  • 3 hours ago
  • twincities.com
  • Keywords: Obituary, Funeral Home

The obituary submission process requires providing personal information, verifying death through a funeral home or certificate, submitting content with photos by specific deadlines, and pre-paying fees based on line count and photo usage. Changes must be made before publication, and payment details vary for credit card, EFT, or cash. Deadlines differ for weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, ensuring timely submission for desired publication dates.

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Estimated market influence

University of Minnesota

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Required for death verification if body is donated to their program.

Pioneer Press

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Publishes obituaries and related content.

Context

Business Insights and Market Implications Analysis

Pricing Model

  • Minimum Charge: $162 for the first 10 lines
  • Additional Lines: $12.20 per line after the first 10 lines
  • Photo Cost: $125 per photo per day
  • Discounts: Photos must be used for both days to qualify for discounts

Market Trends

  • Shift Toward Digital Presence: Increasing focus on online obituaries and memorials, reflecting broader digital trends in media consumption.
  • Tiered Pricing Strategy: Targets different customer segments based on content length and visual requirements.

Competitive Dynamics

  • Encourages Multi-Day Ad Runs: Discount for running ads over multiple days, fostering long-term customer engagement.
  • Photo Usage Requirement: Ensures consistent branding across print and digital platforms, potentially reducing competition from other media outlets.

Operational Efficiency

  • Pre-Payment Policy: Streamlines cash flow management by requiring payment before publication.
  • Strict Deadlines: Ensures timely processing and reduces post-publication errors.

Regulatory Considerations

  • Verification Process: Funeral homes or cremation societies must be contacted for death verification, ensuring authenticity and compliance with industry standards.

Customer Experience

  • Limited External References: Restriction on referencing other media sources may limit customer flexibility but ensures brand consistency.
  • Payment Options: Offers multiple payment methods (credit card, EFT, cash), catering to diverse customer preferences.

Long-Term Effects

  • Potential Expansion Opportunities: The mention of Memoriam submissions suggests potential growth into non-obituary services, aligning with broader trends in personalized memorials.
  • Adaptation to Digital Trends: Likely need for future investments in digital platforms to compete with online-only memorial services.

Strategic Considerations

  • Focus on Local Market: Targeting Twin Cities area with specific deadlines and operational hours tailored to local needs.
  • Balanced Revenue Model: Combines line-based pricing with photo charges, ensuring revenue streams from both content and visuals.