"The first biblical reference to a yearly memorial to the departed with the custom of the daughters of Israel, who "went every year, for four days in a year, and chanted dirges for the daughters oof Jephthah the Gileadite" (Judges 11:40).
During talmudic times, may people fasted on the anniversary of a parents death (BT Nedarim 12a).
However, the current practice of yahrzeit (lit., "year time') as the annual memorial observed by Jews for the deceased members of their immediate families dates back to the Middle Ages....
A person observing a yahrzeit recites the Mourner's Kaddish at each of the three daily services and even leads them when able to do so. If the Torah is read on that day, the mourners are given aliyot; otherwise, they are called to the Torah on the preceding shabbat. A 24-hour memorial candles is lit at home in accordance with this biblical verse: "The soul of man is the candle of God,' (Proverbs 20:27)." (Eisenberg, Ronald, Jewish Traditions).
It is traditional to study the Mishnah in honor of the departed. Oftentimes the Mishnah is studied daily for the first year and then on each Yahrtzeit.
The word mishnah (study), when re-arranged, spells neshamah (soul) and there is the belief that studying in someone's honor elevates their soul and brings their soul.
Some chapters that merit attention during mourning include:
M Tahorot, Kelim 24
Mikvaot 7
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What qualities of Isaac stand out as you remember him on this day?
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How has the year of mourning changed you?
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What have you learned about yourself as you’ve grieved this loss or others?
(יד) הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, חָבִיב אָדָם שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְצֶלֶם. חִבָּה יְתֵרָה נוֹדַעַת לוֹ שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְצֶלֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית ט) כִּי בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָדָם. חֲבִיבִין יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ בָנִים לַמָּקוֹם. חִבָּה יְתֵרָה נוֹדַעַת לָהֶם שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ בָנִים לַמָּקוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים יד) בָּנִים אַתֶּם לַה' אֱלֹהֵיכֶם. חֲבִיבִין יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁנִּתַּן לָהֶם כְּלִי חֶמְדָּה. חִבָּה יְתֵרָה נוֹדַעַת לָהֶם שֶׁנִּתַּן לָהֶם כְּלִי חֶמְדָּה שֶׁבּוֹ נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי ד) כִּי לֶקַח טוֹב נָתַתִּי לָכֶם, תּוֹרָתִי אַל תַּעֲזֹבוּ:
(14) He used to say:Beloved is man for he was created in the image [of God]. Especially beloved is he for it was made known to him that he had been created in the image [of God], as it is said: “for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Beloved are Israel in that they were called children to the All-Present. Especially beloved are they for it was made known to them that they are called children of the All-Present, as it is said: “your are children to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 14:1). Beloved are Israel in that a precious vessel was given to them. Especially beloved are they for it was made known to them that the desirable instrument, with which the world had been created, was given to them, as it is said: “for I give you good instruction; forsake not my teaching” (Proverbs 4:2).
אלהי הרוחות לכל בשר
Master of the Universe, God of All Spirit, it is revealed and known before You that it is our fervent desire to praise Your name, and to remember and honor ________________ on this sacred day.
May our prayers find favor in Your eyes, and be accepted and received before You.
May you grant hope and healing to all who suffer, and may we soon be able to once again safely gather in holiness and joy.
May Your name, Adonai, be elevated and sanctified everywhere on earth and may peace reign upon us.
~Adapted from Siddur Lev Shalem by Rabbi Jan Uhrbach, Rabbinical Assembly
יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא. אמן
בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ וְיַמְלִיךְ
מַלְכוּתֵהּ בְּחַיֵּיכון וּבְיומֵיכון וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשרָאֵל בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא
יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרומַם וְיִתְנַשּא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה
וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא. בְּרִיךְ הוּא.
לְעֵלָּא מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא
תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשרָאֵל.
וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן
עושה שָׁלום בִּמְרומָיו הוּא יַעֲשה שָׁלום עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן
Yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’mei raba
b’alma di v’ra chirutei,
v’yamlich malchutei,
b’chayeichon uv’yomeichon
uv’chayei d’chol beit Yisrael,
baagala uviz’man kariv,
v’im’ru: Amen.
Y’hei sh’mei raba m’varach
l’alam ul’almei almaya.
Yitbarach v’yishtabach v’yitpaar
v’yitromam v’yitnasei,
v’yit’hadar v’yitaleh v’yit’halal
sh’mei d’kud’sha b’rich hu,
l’eila min kol birchata v’shirata,
tushb’chata v’nechemata,
daamiran b’alma, v’imru: Amen.