That makes sense.
But there are a lot of *living* people being bad examples too. What will be done about them?
If they repent, they can be made into an example like the Good Thief.
If they don't, then it is a problem. Remember that Hillary Clinton did not go to Princess Diana's funeral. She instead went to Mother Theresa's funeral.
The Princess Di funeral may be an example, but Mother Theresa dying at the same time took attention away from Princess Di. Mother Theresa was not only given a huge funeral from the vantage point of the Catholic Church, she was given a formal state funeral by the Government of India (because of her work with the needy).
It is a good question. But a very bad person can get to heaven in an easy way.
Say a hardened sinner sees a child about to run over in the street, and jumps out, and saves the life of the child, but is killed.
What did Jesus say about that? "No greater gift can a person give than to lay down your life for a friend".
The Mercy of Heaven and the kindness of Earth would be on such a person -- would it not?
Jesus was making a point with the two thieves -- one went to heaven -- the other -- probably to hell. And it was clear from the cross that Jesus probably could have made them both go to heaven. But it was the Father's will that it happen that way.