how much has to be done to exist?

This week we discussed that quote about how to make an impact in the world and how to stand out and say you did something to better society. the quote said that in order to exist, you must die. I disagree with this quote because many people have achieved greatness during their lifetime and make an impact during their tenure on earth like Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Bill Clinton, just to name a few people. These humanitarians gave up their being to serve others and make the world a better place, yet they were recognized for these achievements during their respective lives. Society has the capability of recognizing greatness and proper existence during the lifetime of the person and it does not require their death to be properly recognized and credited for their great works. I am not sure how the demise of a great figure makes them any better then when they were alive. However, I can understand that a person gets thought and recognition at the news of their death but that is only due to the greatness they had achieved while they were alive. People die all the time, but only the great ones continue to exist after their death.