When I posted some extracts from Shastras regarding the importance of doing Shraddhams and the consequences of failure in that
A query was raised.
In case there is rightful heir to offer what can we do....i feel so sad after seeing this post...pls adv
My reply...
That is the reason why our shastras deem it as the greatest misfortune not to have a son..grandson ..and so on.
One should die only after seeing a grandson too.
Pashyati putram pashyati pautram.
But there are many alternates. In Mahalaya shraddham the offerings are made to all relatives teachers and even friiends.
In Ramayanam it is said that Rama performed the last rites for the bird Jatayu..his father's friend who attained martyrdom defending Sita from Ravana.
Gaya sraddham again can be done for the sake of others and not only for parents.
And when we do tarpanam on amavasya etc we offer tarpanam to all known and unknown pitrus.
Not only that.. we offer water as the last rite in tarpanam through poring water in the kusha or darbha of the koorcham
Saying
For those who have no father mother and no other descendent in the gotra this water is offered for their thrupti or satisfaction.
Again after offering food for the pitrus the rice that is spread around the leaf from which the food is eaten is collected as Vikirannam which is offered to children or others who were born in the clan but were not cremated through fire.
So the elders were very considerate