According to Hindu religion, life doesn't finish with death. Death is just another link in the ongoing process of life, it is hoped that the next life of the departed soul will be better than the last one. The rituals that are done for this purpose are Shradh Karma , and are conducted on either the twelfth or the thirteenth day after the death of a person. This also signifies the end of the mourning period. The house in which the death had occurred is cleaned and purified.
Some people even get a fresh coat of paint for the house.
The pind daan that is made on that day is not only for the deceased but also for three preceding generations of the departed. After the pind daan , Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Once this is all over, the house is declared clean. A havan is performed. To appease the soul, bedding, jewelry and food are donated in charity.