How would I know?
It's YOUR strawman.
“Straw man”? Nonsense. I am describing your position.
Your position is that my mother could pray for me while she was on earth, but now she can’t.
Your position is that I could ask my mother to pray for me while she was on earth, but that if I do the same thing now, I am an idolater.
I am saying there is no rational basis for the belief that people can pray for one another while on earth, and suddenly become inert at death.