Are Martyrs dead?

Some brothers say: Asking alive people (parents, teachers, doctors or anybody else) to help us is not Shirk. However asking prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his Ahl-ul-Bayt or other great Martyrs for help is Shirk because they are dead. For example you can see this question on Islam.SE . My question: We should count Martyrs as dead or alive, while Quran very strongly orders us not to count them as dead? I accept they are not **biologically** and **legally** alive, but does it mean they aren't aware of us and we are not allowed to call them while Allah says they are alive? For instance angels are not also biologically or legally alive, but they are aware of us and can do many things under permission of Allah. > And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision. Al Imran 169 >And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah , "They are dead." Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not. Al Baqarah 154