Is Jesus depicted as dead or alive on a crucifix? According to Catholics, is Jesus depicted as dead or alive on a crucifix?
It depends upon the crucifix. The Christus Rex crucifix 



has Jesus on the cross, reigning in either high priestly, or kingly robes. This is quite apparently the triumphant, risen, living Christ. 

On the other hand, the figures on the crucifix with the suffering Christ, 



always seem to include a spear wound in his side, and usually a bowed head. Since in John 19, Jesus death is reported in verse 30 ("... he said, 'It is finished'; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." [RSV]), and the report that his side was pierced happens in verse 34, the suffering corpus depicts a Jesus who has died.