What does स्व. mean before a name?

स्व. is short for स्वर्गीय (swargiya), meaning the late. It is placed before the name of a person who has died, on shraddha cards, memorial notices and wedding cards that name a late grandparent.

Barkhi is the ceremony held on the first anniversary of a death, which ends the year of mourning for the family. After barkhi, shraddha is performed every year on the tithi of the death.

Should a memorial card ask for RSVPs?

Usually not. A memorial card mainly informs relatives. Replies are only worth collecting when you need a headcount, for example for a meal after a prayer meeting.

Shraddha, shradhanjali and death ceremony invitation cards

Quiet, respectful designs to tell relatives about a shraddha, barkhi or prayer meeting, in Nepali or English.

See these designs Start from blank

॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

श्राद्ध

SHRADDHA & PRAYER MEETING

Relatives and well-wishers are requested to join the Shraddha of

Late Saraswati Devi Poudel

Sunday, 12 September 2027

वि.सं. २०८४ भदौ २६ गते, आइतबार

तिथि: भाद्र शुक्ल द्वादशी

Puja · 8:00 AM

Family home

Tokha, Kathmandu

On behalf of
The Poudel family

Bhoj will be served after the rituals.

What goes on a shraddha or memorial card?

A shraddha or memorial card names the person being remembered, with स्व. (late) before the name, and often a photo. It gives the ceremony, the Bikram Sambat date and tithi, the time and the place, and is issued in the name of the family.

The tone is plain and calm: muted colours, no celebratory motifs, and short wording. Families often send it at short notice, so a link that reaches everyone at once helps.

Updated 25 September 2026

Which ceremony

Kriya and the thirteenth-day rites after a death.
Barkhi, the first-year ceremony.
Annual shraddha on the tithi of the death.
Shraddhanjali sabha or a memorial service for friends and colleagues.

Wording with care

Keep to the facts: who is remembered, what is being held, when and where. A single line of prayer or a verse is enough. For Christian and English services, a memorial service design uses the same structure.

Designs to start from

॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

श्राद्ध

SHRADDHA & PRAYER MEETING

Relatives and well-wishers are requested to join the Shraddha of

Late Saraswati Devi Poudel

Sunday, 12 September 2027

वि.सं. २०८४ भदौ २६ गते, आइतबार

तिथि: भाद्र शुक्ल द्वादशी

Puja · 8:00 AM

Family home

Tokha, Kathmandu

On behalf of
The Poudel family

Bhoj will be served after the rituals.

Shraddha · Blessing Opener

Shraddha Prayer Meeting

A white lotus and Om Shanti for Shraddha, Kriya and Barkhi.

Preview Customize

॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

श्राद्ध तथा पुण्यतिथि

स्वर्गीय आमाको श्राद्ध तथा पुण्यतिथिको अवसरमा
आयोजित पूजा कार्यक्रममा सहभागी हुन अनुरोध गर्दछौं

स्व. सरस्वती देवी पौडेल

वि.सं. २०८४ भदौ २६ गते, आइतबार

तिथि: भाद्र शुक्ल द्वादशी

पूजा · बिहान ८:०० बजे

निज निवास

टोखा, काठमाडौं

शोकाकुल परिवार
पौडेल परिवार

दिवंगत आत्माको चिर शान्तिको कामना गर्दै।

Shraddha · Blessing Opener

पूर्ण नेपाली श्राद्ध

Nepali only

Shraddha and punyatithi invitation written entirely in Nepali.

Preview Customize

स्मृति सभा

IN LOVING MEMORY

The family invites you to a memorial gathering for

Late Padam Bahadur Gurung

Held with gratitude for a life that touched so many

Sunday, 18 April 2027

वि.सं. २०८४ बैशाख ५ गते, आइतबार

Gathering · 11:00 AM

Gurung Sewa Samaj Hall

Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu

On behalf of
The Gurung family

Please join us in a few minutes of silence and shared memories.

Memorial · Modern Minimalist

Smriti Sabha

A quiet dove card for a memorial gathering or prayer meeting.

Preview Customize

See the full gallery

FAQ

Shraddha and memorial cards: common questions

What does स्व. mean before a name?: स्व. is short for स्वर्गीय (swargiya), meaning the late. It is placed before the name of a person who has died, on shraddha cards, memorial notices and wedding cards that name a late grandparent.
What is a barkhi?: Barkhi is the ceremony held on the first anniversary of a death, which ends the year of mourning for the family. After barkhi, shraddha is performed every year on the tithi of the death.
Should a memorial card ask for RSVPs?: Usually not. A memorial card mainly informs relatives. Replies are only worth collecting when you need a headcount, for example for a meal after a prayer meeting.

Keep reading

Make your card tonight

Pick a design, type the names and the date, and share the link. Free to start, RSVPs included.

Browse designs

Shraddha, shradhanjali and death ceremony invitation cards

Quiet, respectful designs to tell relatives about a shraddha, barkhi or prayer meeting, in Nepali or English.

See these designs Start from blank

॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

श्राद्ध

SHRADDHA & PRAYER MEETING

Relatives and well-wishers are requested to join the Shraddha of

Late Saraswati Devi Poudel

Sunday, 12 September 2027

वि.सं. २०८४ भदौ २६ गते, आइतबार

तिथि: भाद्र शुक्ल द्वादशी

Puja · 8:00 AM

Family home

Tokha, Kathmandu

On behalf of
The Poudel family

Bhoj will be served after the rituals.

What goes on a shraddha or memorial card?

The tone is plain and calm: muted colours, no celebratory motifs, and short wording. Families often send it at short notice, so a link that reaches everyone at once helps.

Updated 25 September 2026

Which ceremony

Kriya and the thirteenth-day rites after a death.
Barkhi, the first-year ceremony.
Annual shraddha on the tithi of the death.
Shraddhanjali sabha or a memorial service for friends and colleagues.

Wording with care

Designs to start from

॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

श्राद्ध

SHRADDHA & PRAYER MEETING

Relatives and well-wishers are requested to join the Shraddha of

Late Saraswati Devi Poudel

Sunday, 12 September 2027

वि.सं. २०८४ भदौ २६ गते, आइतबार

तिथि: भाद्र शुक्ल द्वादशी

Puja · 8:00 AM

Family home

Tokha, Kathmandu

On behalf of
The Poudel family

Bhoj will be served after the rituals.

Shraddha · Blessing Opener

Shraddha Prayer Meeting

A white lotus and Om Shanti for Shraddha, Kriya and Barkhi.

Preview Customize

॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

श्राद्ध तथा पुण्यतिथि

स्वर्गीय आमाको श्राद्ध तथा पुण्यतिथिको अवसरमा
आयोजित पूजा कार्यक्रममा सहभागी हुन अनुरोध गर्दछौं

स्व. सरस्वती देवी पौडेल

वि.सं. २०८४ भदौ २६ गते, आइतबार

तिथि: भाद्र शुक्ल द्वादशी

पूजा · बिहान ८:०० बजे

निज निवास

टोखा, काठमाडौं

शोकाकुल परिवार
पौडेल परिवार

दिवंगत आत्माको चिर शान्तिको कामना गर्दै।

Shraddha · Blessing Opener

पूर्ण नेपाली श्राद्ध

Nepali only

Shraddha and punyatithi invitation written entirely in Nepali.

Preview Customize

स्मृति सभा

IN LOVING MEMORY

The family invites you to a memorial gathering for

Late Padam Bahadur Gurung

Held with gratitude for a life that touched so many

Sunday, 18 April 2027

वि.सं. २०८४ बैशाख ५ गते, आइतबार

Gathering · 11:00 AM

Gurung Sewa Samaj Hall

Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu

On behalf of
The Gurung family

Please join us in a few minutes of silence and shared memories.

Memorial · Modern Minimalist

Smriti Sabha

A quiet dove card for a memorial gathering or prayer meeting.

Preview Customize

See the full gallery

FAQ

Shraddha and memorial cards: common questions

What does स्व. mean before a name?: स्व. is short for स्वर्गीय (swargiya), meaning the late. It is placed before the name of a person who has died, on shraddha cards, memorial notices and wedding cards that name a late grandparent.
What is a barkhi?: Barkhi is the ceremony held on the first anniversary of a death, which ends the year of mourning for the family. After barkhi, shraddha is performed every year on the tithi of the death.
Should a memorial card ask for RSVPs?: Usually not. A memorial card mainly informs relatives. Replies are only worth collecting when you need a headcount, for example for a meal after a prayer meeting.

Keep reading

Make your card tonight

Pick a design, type the names and the date, and share the link. Free to start, RSVPs included.

Browse designs