Shraddh 

Shraddh is a beautiful way to remember our ancestors and value one's roots.  It is a way for people to express heartfelt gratitude and thanks towards their parents and ancestors, for having helped them to be what they are and praying for their peace. Shraddh rites are rites performed in honor of ancestors. 

Shraddh usually falls the day after Anant Charutdashi and Sharad Navratri (usually around Aug-Sep.) 

Shraddh is performed on the same lunar date (tithi) as the one when the person passed away. (Example: If an ancestor passed away on the tenth day of the month in the lunar calendar, his/her shraddh is observed on the tenth day in the aforementioned shraddh period).  Shraddh is done for three generations (of the deceased): Parents, grandparents, great grandparents. 

Shraddh is usually done at a temple, under the guidance of a priest. However, if you are unable to establish connection with the priest/temple, here is a simple way of doing this important ritual. 

Procedure 

Take a shower/bath in the morning. The ritual is usually done in the morning and takes only a few minutes. 

Take a Kalash (pot) or a glass (preferably steel or copper) of water, and put some black sesame seeds in the water. Facing the Sun, hold the kalash with both hands, raise the kalash or glass above your head, offer the water in the direction of the sun in the loved ones' memory. Let the fingertips touch the water being poured out. Offer all the water in the kalash. 

How to find the tithi and its corresponding date? Once you have the date of death, enter the date, place and time of death of the departed person in a tool such as: http://www.drikpanchang.com/utilities/tithi/hindu-shraddha-tithi-calculator.html 

Many people who have migrated to USA might have been too young when they came and may not have the exact dates of death for three generations.  The work-around is: If you miss the date or do not know the date, you can do it on the makeup date which is the last day of the Shraddh period. 

Big Work-Around: One can just offer tarpan every day during the sixteen-day Shraddh period to cover all his bases as an act of gratitude to ancestors!  We may have never met our great Grandparents, but we still carry their genes.  Blessings from Pitras (ancestors) are also believed to bestow well-being in our family. 

It is also a good occasion to perform acts of generosity which may please the departed souls. Some examples include local soup kitchen, Support-a-Child, Ekal Vidyalaya, Akshaya Patra, serving at an old age home etc.  

Compiled from various sources. 

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