All that are no longer on this earth are sleep in a sense that they are no longer here.,but they are aware of where they are whether in hades are paradise. both are holding stations. one comfort the the other not comfort. All have not been buried in the ground, or placed in tombs where the flesh returns back to dust. others have died at sea,in fiery places and reduced to ashes, some have even been eaten by man or animal. When Jesus returns, the dead shall rise where ever their bodies might have disappeared. the sea will give up it's dead, the ground also, and the tombs. Only God will know how to put this all together.