How do we view death?

Just the other day I had a personal experience where one of my family members had a traumatic injury that caused us some serious distress (and we still have some definite concern). It got me thinking about my own reactions to death and near death experiences. Frankly, I was a bit alarmed. I am a pretty emotional person, definitely a guy not afraid to cry, but yet when I have been in a situation where someone from my family or a friend has died I have been almost devoid of emotion. I thought, "this must just be another part of my messed up personality." But the more I thought about it and talked it through with some people I came to realize that while some might not understand my position, it works for me. The Bible tells us that Jesus died and rose again to defeat death (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13, 2 Timothy1:10). As a Christian, we have the assurance that eternity will be spent in heaven in a much better condition than our current state (regardless of how good life on earth may be). So, while everyone will die someday; death does not have an eternal effect. The apostle Paul expressed it well as he wrestled with life and death describing how it would be better for him to die and have the joy of heaven versus the trials and struggles of life here on earth, but he concludes that God has work for him to accomplish in this present life. That to me is the beauty and freedom of the Christian faith. We have hope and purpose in this present life and we have hope and assurance of joy for eternity. Truly death has no hold upon us, because of the victory won by our Lord and Savior. Death does bring sadness to those of us left behind, but my heart tells me that my ancestors got it right when they came up with the idea of the wake. Respect should be shown for the life the deceased have lived, but a celebration is in order because that person has passed from a world of sickness, strife, and struggle to the perfect Paradise we will all have the opportunity to be reunited in if we would only believe.