We live abroad with no priest nearby. How can we do śrāddha ourselves?

do a simple home śrāddha — tarpaṇa with water and sesame, a food offering, a prayer and feeding others; or book an online priest.

Many families abroad do śrāddha at home. A simple form: bathe, wear clean clothes, sit facing south, and keep water, black sesame (til), a little rice and, if available, kuśa grass. Remember the ancestor by name and gotra, and offer water with sesame three times from the right palm towards the south, saying “I offer this to my father/mother, [name]” in any language. Cook a simple meal the departed liked, offer a portion with a prayer, and keep a portion outside for birds or animals.

Then feed a guest — a family friend, a temple volunteer, or someone in need — and give some dāna. Many Hindu temples abroad also conduct śrāddha on request, and Indian priests offer video-guided śrāddha or will perform it at a tīrtha in your name.

The Purāṇas say even sincere water and remembrance, when nothing else is possible, reach the ancestors.

Source: Garuḍa Purāṇa; Viṣṇu Purāṇa (simplest śrāddha)

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