Memorial services are rituals held by descendants in memory of the deceased. Koreans hold rituals on the anniversary of an ancestor's death, Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day), and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) to express gratitude for their blessings and to pay their respects. The foods prepared for these rituals are not extravagant.
On Seollal, tteok-guk (sliced rice cake soup) is prepared, and on Chuseok, taro soup andsongpyeon are served. The assortment of dishes and their arrangements vary from family to family and region. Common offerings include alcoholic beverages, fruit (both fresh and dried), dried beef, and fish. Again, rice cakes are a standard food which are prepared with mung bean powder or husked red bean powder sprinkled on top.