Family mail

Send a letter to someone in the hospital

When a friend or family member is in the hospital, a real letter or card means more than a text. Type your message, attach a photo if you like, and we print and mail it through Canada Post within 24 hours.

From $6 per letterMailed via Canada PostShipped within 24 hoursNo printer needed

How it works

Four steps. Most letters take under two minutes from sign-in to mailed.

  1. 1

    Type a short letter or card

    Keep it short and warm — most patients prefer a few sentences they can re-read.

  2. 2

    Attach a photo (optional)

    A photo of family, pets, or kids is often the most welcome thing in a hospital room.

  3. 3

    Enter the hospital address

    Patient name, ward or unit, hospital name, hospital street address. Confirm the patient is still admitted before sending.

  4. 4

    We mail within 24 hours

    Mailed via Canada Post. Hospital mailrooms forward incoming mail to the patient ward.

Who this is for

  • Family members of hospital patients
  • Friends who cannot visit in person
  • Co-workers and community members
  • Anyone overseas with a loved one in a Canadian hospital

Common use cases

Get-well letters

A short, warm note for a friend or family member in care.

Family photos

Print and mail recent family photos for the patient to keep bedside.

Children's drawings

Upload a photo or scan of a child's drawing and we mail it.

Long-stay patient updates

For long hospital stays, weekly letters help patients feel connected to the world outside.

What you can rely on

PostPal is operated as a utility, not a marketing channel. We do one thing: print and mail your documents through Canada Post.

Domestic
$6
2-4 business days
International
$12
6-12 business days
  • Mailed within 24 hours via Canada Post
  • No printer, envelope, or hospital visit required
  • Photos print on the letter, no extra envelopes
  • Privacy-respecting — files deleted after mailing

Frequently asked questions

How should I address the letter?

Use this format: patient's full name, ward or unit name (if known), hospital name, hospital street address. Example: "John Smith / 4 East Cardiology / Toronto General Hospital / 200 Elizabeth St / Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4". If you do not know the ward, the hospital mailroom will route it.

Will the hospital actually deliver mail to a patient?

Yes. Canadian hospitals route incoming patient mail through their mailroom to the patient's ward. Confirm the patient is still admitted before mailing — if discharged, the hospital may return the letter or hold it briefly.

How quickly can a patient receive the letter?

Mailed within 24 hours of payment. Canada Post delivers domestic letters in 2-4 business days. Most hospitals deliver internal mail to wards the same day it is received.

Should I include my return address?

Yes. Many hospitals require a return address on incoming mail. The return address you enter is printed on the envelope.

What if the patient has been discharged?

If discharged, the hospital may return the letter to the return address, hold it briefly, or in some cases forward it. To avoid this, only mail when you are reasonably sure the patient will still be admitted at delivery.

Ready to send?

Type a letter or upload a PDF. We mail it via Canada Post within 24 hours.