“Shraadha” is one of the easier Sanskrit words to explain. It’s a straight derived from “shradhdaa” meaning trust. The word with its modern reference first occurred

deshe kaale cha paatre cha shraddhayaa vidhinaa cha yata |
pitR^imuddishya viprabhyo dattaM shraaddhamudaahratam ||

Meaning That which is presented to the correct persons, at accurate time, at an exact place in accordance with the way approved by the belief of Hindus with a confidence that it shall attain forefathers and make them pleased is termed as “shraadha”. The word Pitarah means three departed forefathers usually father, grandfather and great-grandfather

Amongst all day and happy occasions, like festivals, marriages and engagements, one should not bring forth too much memory of those who have left this world, for a sense of gloom may descend on the gathering. Life must go on with a joyful note, but those who have gone, having given so much to us, must not be allowed to fade away, and should be remembered with reverence and dignity, creating an atmosphere of happy memories.

On a special day, we invite those who have departed, to be a part of the family. In their honour, a feast befitting the sanctity of their abode in the heavens is given once a year.
On the 10th day, the sons of the departed person along with several relatives and the family purohit go to a riverside where sons’ heads are bald and a Shraadha is performed. On the 11th day, the sons and daughters execute a very detailed Shraadha under the supervision of a purohit. The ritual ends with aahuuti given to agni invoking approximately all the deities, main rivers, temple towns, mountains, and lakes of South Asia.
On this day favourite vegetarian foods are ready in the name of the dead. Flaming of oil lamps is meant to offer light to the departed in the ‘new’ world.

Throughout the first three months, a Shraadha is performed following every fifteen days i.e. on the 30th, 45th, 60th, 75th and 90th day of death. A detailed Shraadha is held on the 180th day. The Shraadha on the first death centenary too is a detailed one. After this a Shraadha is done each year on the death anniversary and one during the pitra-paksh.

Whilst spoiling every blissful event with distress in memory is not sensible, our sages for that reason in their perception, selected a definite time of the year to honour them. This phase of 16 days which ended today is identified as 'Shraadh' or Pitrapaksh". It is suggested that new ventures, business, or clothing not be bought throughout the length of Shraadha. Instead, depending on the 'tithi' or day of death, according to the hindu calendar, analogous to that day, among the 16, ceremonies concerning donations be performed, in memory of the dead souls, as also to plead for their well-being, to whatever realm they may have step forward .

For those to who finding the ‘tithi’ is difficult, or others who might have a preference in a single day to honour all the dead souls of their relatives, it is the last day of the period, the 16th day, when through the chanting of mantras, an appeal is made to the Divine for helping them in their forward journey. Their favorite food is arranged, without onion, garlic, and scattered. Four portions one each for the crow, dog, cow, and ant are reserved aside, to be a sign of that all forms of life ought to be valued.Finally, one should remember that in societies all over the world, there are always ways and means and occasions to honour the dead in some manner or the other. Do not make this a sad occasion, but a soul-cleaning one and a day of remembrances for the whole family.