How to Properly Address a Sympathy Card

Experiencing the loss of a loved one can be a devastating time to get through, and sympathy cards may help the deceased person's family deal with their loss. Send a sympathy card to someone who has recently lost someone dear to her to let her know your thoughts are with her. Sending a sympathy card is the proper thing to do, whether the survivor is a relative, dear friend or professional acquaintance. Address the sympathy card using the proper etiquette.

Instructions

1. Place the ruler on the envelope to use as a guide when you write. Simply hold the ruler straight with the hand you don't write with.

2. Write the name of the person to whom you're sending the sympathy card. If you're a close friend of the family and the card is for the entire family, it should be addressed to the widow, widower or oldest adult child. If you're good friends or a business acquaintance of one family member, address the card to that individual.
   Proper titles are appropriate, though not necessary. For example, you could write "Mrs. Eleanore Thompson" or "Eleanore Thompson." Use proper titles if you aren't very close to the family.

3. Using your best handwriting, spell out the full street address. Use the deceased person's address if the card is to the family or the address of the person you know best. If you only know the survivor's work address, use that.

4. Include your full name and address in the upper left corner of the backside of the envelope or on the flap on the front, even if the person you're addressing the card to knows your address. Due to the difficult time the family members are going through, they may choose to enlist the help of someone who doesn't know you to help address thank-you cards.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your sympathy card short and respectful, as you don't want to overwhelm the grieving family, but simply offer your support.

• Sign the card with your full name, as someone else may share the same first name.

• It's never too late to express your sympathy, although sending the card within the first week or two after the loss is ideal.

References

• Simple Sympathy: Sympathy Card Etiquette
• Elegant Woman: Sympathy Card Etiquette
• Biz Greeting Cards: Business Sympathy Greeting Card Etiquette for Business