Who should perform the Shradh ritual in the family?

Traditionally, Shradh is performed by the eldest son of the deceased (the Karta). In the absence of a son, the next eligible performers are: grandson, son-in-law, nephew, or any male relative. In the complete absence of male heirs, contemporary pandit guidance and certain Dharmashastra texts support a daughter or other female relative performing the rite. The key requirement is that the person performing the Shradh does so with sincere faith (shraddha), correct procedure, and the proper Sankalpa (declaration of intent), ideally under a pandit’s guidance.