A tamil saying - "When you are alive be like a banyan tree and after death you should be like a sandalwood tree". This saying means like a lot. A banyan tree has gives cover to a fast area thus providing a shade to a lot of people. Similarly when we are alive we should help as many people as possible. A sandalwood tree is worth more after it is felled, thus helping people even after its death and similarly we should make ourselves helpful to someone even after our death.
I do not know if I have expressed myself well but think it over and it would make sense.