GEN762 Although no one can physically remain alive after one’s death, Rashi, quoting the Talmud Berachot 18a, says that the righteous are considered alive even in death.  What does that mean?  It is because as long as the deeds of the righteous continue to have effect, they are as if alive.  Thus, keeping a person’s memory alive by continuing what he or she did or stood for keeps the person alive.  Rashi also implied this when he compared the deeds of the righteous to children. Just as children keep the memory of their parents alive by continuing the work and values of their parents, so, too, the actions of the righteous continue to have impact long after they are gone physically.  … Therefore, the living can help to keep the deceased alive even after they are no longer physically in the world.  AMEMEI 53