Are ancestral deities dead ancestors or other deities?
It cannot be absolutely said that all deceased ancestors go to that place. Those who are in Vasuloka, Rudraloka and Aditya world are called Pitrudevatas. The father's place is Vasuloka. Pitamaha (grandfather) position is Rudra Lokam. Prapitamaha (great-grandfather) position is Aditya Loka. All those in the three worlds are also patriarchs.
Apart from these, the ancestors, sons, grandsons and all those related to the ancestors are also worshiped in the Brahmayagnanga tarpanas. Lord Brahma gave them a place. It cannot be said that all the dead go there. If the funeral rites are properly performed for the dead, they will attain such best levels.
If the last rites are not properly performed then such living beings will go to the lower worlds (pretalokas) below the atholokas instead of the upper worlds. Performing the last rites for the dead is good for us and for the deceased so giving them proper satisfaction through these mahalaya pakshas is a good opportunity. Giving one meal to the Mahalayapakshas will give them the result of paying attention to them throughout the year. Mahalayapaksha is so special that these are called pithru dina
