Where are they?

As I passed by the cemetery,I noticed that they were cleaning up the graveyard and repainting the tombs.Suddenly I remembered it will be November again and some people will be celebrating 'all saints and souls day'.This normally takes place on the 1st November,the people usually light candles on the tombs and place them on their door steps.They believe they are providing light to guide their departed loved one home.

It is really confusing in what they really believe because at most funeral service the priest usually tells the people not to cry because their departed loved one is in heaven.If they are in heaven then why provide light for them to find their way home?

Again if we all go to heaven or hell at death why is there a need for Jesus to return?
The Bible clearly states in 1Thesssalonians 4 : 16 that the Lord will descend from heaven ....and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

So where are the dead ? They are sleeping in the grave awaiting their reward to heaven or hell.
Ecclesiastes 9: 5,6 says they know nothing and Psalms 146 :4 says when you die, your thoughts perish!

So it follows when you die you will wait in the grave until the Second Coming of Christ.So you cannot enjoy heavenly places yet.You will have to wait until Christ returns.