Can Dwadashi Shradh be performed by a family member who is not the eldest son?

Yes, any male or female family member can perform Dwadashi Shradh if the eldest son is unavailable, incapacitated, or living abroad. The Dharma Shastra lists a hierarchy of eligible performers: eldest son, other sons, grandson, wife, daughter, daughter’s son, brother, nephew, and even a trusted disciple in the case of sanyasins. What matters most is that the performer takes the Sankalp with genuine devotion and follows the ritual procedure under a qualified pandit’s guidance.