Comment by optionalsquid

>The best we can do for the dead is remember them as they were, good and bad, not demonize them nor write hagiographies for them

I agree with your conclusion, but not with your premise.

We can't "do" anything for the dead. They're dead. What's more, since they're dead they don't care what we do or say because they're, you know, dead.

Anything we might do or say in reference to dead folks is for the benefit of the living and has nothing to do with the dead.

That said, you're absolutely right. We should remember folks for who they were -- warts and all -- to give the living perspective both on the dead and the dead past.