Some of the rules related to Shraaddh taken from a book written by Srivatsa Somadeva Sarma are given below :-

(1) If dog or other animals eat Vaayas Pind or if others happen to see it, Shraaddh will have to be done again next day after observing fasting on that day, that is why Vaayas Pind must be protected until the crow eats it.
(2) All Upachaars must be offered to Vishwedev first.
(3) But the first Braahman to wash hands at the end of Bhojan perform Aachaman and getting up at the fag end of Shraaddh will take place for Pitri.
(4)  The Pind used in Pind Pradaan can be disposed of in water or Agni. At the time of performing Shraaddh on the banks of a holy river, the Pind has to be disposed of in water.
(5) No Aavaahan, Arghya, Hom, Vikeeram, Pind Pradaan in Sankalp Shraaddh.
(6) Both Kartaa and Bhoktaa (Shraaddh Braahman) can not drink anything other than water after the Bhojan; Bhoktaa can consume Taambool (Paan or betel leaf). They cannot undertake any other Vaidik Karm on that day.
(7) If the deceased father's property had been shared among his sons, his each son shall perform the Shraaddh independently. Even if the ancestral property has not been shared, and if the brothers are living separately, Shraaddh has to be performed separately. If the brothers are living together they may gather together on the Shraaddh day and only the eldest brother will perform the Shraaddh and the other brothers will stand by him.
(8) Pitri are pleased when each son performs Shraaddh. If Shraaddha is performed by different sons at different places, Pitar will be present at all the places simultaneously, they being Devtaa have the power to travel anywhere.
(9) A Grihasth whose father is alive can not perform Amaavsyaa and Shraaddh Tarpanam. He can perform only Brahm Yagya Tarpanam. He can do Teerth Shraaddh but not Gayaa Shraaddh.

Simple Shraaddh
For simple Pitru Tarpan - Perform Ganapati and Guru Poojan as per Dainik (daily) Saadhanaa. Yellow is the color for Pitri....... . Saadhan material required is black sesame seeds.... fresh milk and plenty of water...

Make a list of all expired family members for two generations (both father and mother's side) and pour water (lashed with milk and sesame seed sprinkled ) from a container with your left hand on to your right hand fist loose grip thumb stretched facing up ward.., water should fall on to the middle of the fist and flowing through the thumb stretched upward and dropping it into a collection bowl. Continuous water flow should be maintained while you are chanting names of your Pitri. The water should run in to a bowl underneath which could be emptied in a clean place (like base of a tree or river). This should be done on the last day of the Shraaddh Paksha - Amaavasyaa (Pitar Samokinee Amaavasyaa).

Alternatives to Shraaddh
In the course of Shraaddh ceremony, when the Shraaddha Braahman are being fed, we recite 4-5 Sarg related with "Gangaa Avataran" ending with Bhageerath's ancestors (who had been reduced to ashes) were offered Pitri Tarpanam with the Holy waters of Gangaa by Bhageerath. (Sarg 40-44 of Baal Kaand of Vaalmeeki Raamaayan). Shlok No 21 of Sarg 44 reads as follows:-

dhanyam yashasyam aayushyam putryam sqwargyam atha api cha |
ya: shraavayati vipreshu kshatriyeshu itereshu cha || 1-44-21
preeyante pitara: tasya preeyante daivataani
It means - "This legend is conducive to achieve prosperity, fame, longevity, progeny and even heaven, and he who narrates this legend to others, whether he is from Brahmans or from Kshatriya, or for that matter of fact from any other class, his manes will be satisfied, and gods too will be gladdened.

That mere recitation of holy texts alone without offering Shraaddh, Tarpan etc to Pitri will uplift the Pitri is not what is intended by the Shaastra. Go through chapters 14 and 15 of 7th canto (Skandh) of
Shree Mad Bhaagavat for more details on Shraaddh. Incidentally, as regards the course of the soul after death of a human being, you may refer to chapter 32 of Skandh Three of Bhaagvat. It is necessary for one to read the relevant portion of Shaastra, say, Garud Puraan etc before resorting to shortcuts and alternatives to performing Shraaddh.