I agree that death is mostly a tragedy, especially when it’s a child or someone taken too soon, but when it is someone who has had a life well lived, regardless of whether they’re famous or not, and regardless of whether we know it or not, I think that person has triumphed over death because they’ve made such an impact that they are the triumph. One ‘famous’ example I can think of is Randy Pausch. This thread also made me think of this sonnet by John Donne- talking about our eventual triumph over death.
DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell’st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.