What's up with the sympathy card?

Who to Address Sympathy Card to?

• A friend of mine recently lost his grandmother, and I would like to write this person a sympathy card. I only know him, and not his family (he lives with his parents and siblings), but I kind of feel like it would be awkward to only address my friend in the letter. I researched the etiquette of how to do this, and I read that it should be addressed only to the person I know. So what should I do? Should it be addressed to: "Mr. John Doe" "Mr, John Doe and Family" "The Doe Family" Or what should I do? I don't want to hurt people's feelings, but I don't want it to be weird for the family to get a sympathy card from someone they don't know. I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

• Answer:

  You are correct....according to etiquette you should send it to the person you know only and he would pass it on to his family if he felt he should. A lot of times today funeral homes have online guestbooks where you can leave a short message to the family which would be more appropriate. I think you sending a a sympathy card to your friend is extremely heartfelt and endearing. Peace, Love & Happiness