Who performs shraadh

The usual line of precedence

Traditionally the eldest son performs shraadh. In his absence, another son; then a grandson through a son; then a great-grandson; then, in many traditions, the nearest male relative in the paternal line.

Where a man leaves no direct male heir, practice extends variously to a brother, a nephew, a son-in-law or an adopted son, depending on region and sampradaya.

Whether a daughter may perform it

A number of traditions accept a daughter performing shraadh, and it is increasingly common where there is no son. Several major tirth sites, including at Prayagraj and Gaya, have purohits who conduct it.

Other traditions do not accept it. We are not in a position to adjudicate between them, and we would be wrong to try. Ask the purohit who will conduct the rite, and follow your family's practice.

When nobody in the family can

Where no relative is able to perform it, the rite is commonly conducted by a purohit on the family's behalf, with the sankalp naming the family and gotra. This is routine at the Sangam ghats and is not treated as a lesser observance.

What the kit assumes

Our shraadh and Pitru Paksha kits assume one person performing the rite and carry a single pavitri ring and one set of portions. If more than one person will perform it, tell us at checkout and we will add sets rather than have you split what is there.