Talk:Major Steps in Hindu Funeral Cremation Ceremony: Annual Remembrance

By Vishal Agarwal

Every year, a fortnight (15 lunar dates) is set aside to remember the departed ancestors, pay homage to them, and offer them food and drink ceremoniously. Many Hindu families will not observe any festivities or schedule any social gatherings or parties during this period. Today, this custom is not observed by most Hindus. However, the purpose of these annual remembrances is not merely to honor and provide relief only to one’s own forefathers, but to benefit all creatures, as clarified in verses like these below -

Whosoever in my family have been deprived of piṇḍa offerings and water because they had no children or spouse, to them I offer sesame and water. May these offerings prove to be undiminishing for them. They who were my relatives, or were not my relatives, or were my relatives in another life, and they whose parched throats ask for water, may my water offering satiate them eternally. Matsya Purāṇa 101.24 They who are suffering in multiple ways in hells, for their comfort I make offerings of water. From a blade of grass to all Devas, ancestors, humans, mothers and fathers, insects and worms, the residents of the seven worlds, the residents of all known and unknown worlds all the way up to the realm of Brahmā – may all residents of these worlds attain relief and happiness with these offerings given in faith by me during the Shrāddha ceremony. Vāyu Purāṇa 110.21-40