But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. – I Thessalonians 4:13-15

Since we believe in the work that Jesus has done on the cross, then death is no more permanent than sleep. We don’t need to fear death anymore and we don’t need to mourn like others who don’t know Jesus. Our Christian loved ones who died remain alive in heaven with Jesus and we will be reunited with them.

Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints. – Psalms 116:15

This is a verse that is commonly mentioned when people die. God finds great pleasure and joy in fellowship with his children because of our personal relationship with him. And when Christian’s die, it could be compared to someone being welcomed home after a long trip.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, – Psalms 30:11

When we are going through a period of mourning, we should expect God to show up and deliver us from that sorrow in whatever form he chooses to do this. Yes we will still miss the person who died but God will allow your heart to receive his love and fill every emotional need that you have. Our testimony will be that he has turned our mourning into dancing.

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

I Corinthians 15:42-44 NKJV (35-44)

Just as seeds are transformed when planted, so our bodies will be transformed at Christ return. A dead natural body will be raised as an eternal spiritual body. As believers we need to remember this spiritual truth.

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. – II Corinthians 5:1

When Paul speaks of our earthly house, he’s referring to our physical bodies. When this life on earth is over, and our bodies return to dust, life has just begun. Eternity awaits. And those who trust in Christ have an eternal dwelling with God prepared for them. We need to remind other believers of this when they are grieving and also keep it in mind for ourselves.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? – I Corinthians 15:50–55

Pain, sickness, disease, disability, and suffering of every kind who’ll be gone in the twinkling of an eye at Jesus’ return. Our resurrected bodies will be indestructible and incorruptible. For all those who are in Christ, there is no sting to death. Death is just a transition into Gods glorious presence therefore we have the victory over death.

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. – II Corinthians 5:8

For those who trust and believe in Christ, death is only a prelude to eternal life with God. Let this verse give you confidence that if a believer dies that they are with Christ in eternity.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. – II Timothy 4:6–8

We need to keep this thought in mind for ourselves and other believers. It’s not enough to start the Christian race, you have to finish the race. And not only finish, but finish well. Paul didn’t reach the end of his race with regrets but he expected to receive a reward for all he done while on earth. Likewise, if our loved ones or friend who died lived for Jesus, we can be sure that they are receiving their crown and are being celebrated in heaven just as Paul mentions here. So we give God praise.