It depends what you consider dead Leatherback. Technically it's not drawing nutrients or photosynthesizing so in that sense it's "dead".
However, what we perceive as solid or living is really just particles of light similar to pixels that are assembled a certain way. When assembled, atoms and other tiny pieces of matter "can" create a bonsai. When something dies, the ties between cells are broken and they disperse back into the enviroment. Now you would say it's dead right? Well perhaps to some,but considering the universe is constant in the amount of material within it, you could argue that it didn't die it just changed shape and was reconfigured.
In the end, it depends on your point of view Leatherback. If you believe your prized spruce turned into a rotten mess from fungi and died, then believe that. I prefer to believe that I merely helped the plant on its cycle through the enviroment. I believe this brings a Positive view to an otherwise depressing event.