RESURRECTION HOPE: Although the resurrection of Christ secures the resurrection…

RESURRECTION HOPE: Although the resurrection of Christ secures the resurrection of his people, the two events are not contemporaneous. Christ rose first; his people are to rise when he comes the second time. Questions: Does the New Teastament ever say that Christians have “died”? Or does it always use “fell asleep”?
If so, do they merely just fall asleep? Or do they go directly to heaven?