I also like how Peter referred to death as "shortly, I must put off my tent."
What a creative metaphor. Paul also used the "tent" as an example of the earthly body. Yes, they were both using it in a Christian context, and I am not proselytizing here, as I have no idea what happens when we die.
But, I do think we are more than our earthly bodies. As others have stated in this thread, I believe we have an essence that is more than chemistry, cells and nerves. Our bodies, "tents" will return to dust, but I believe there is more to us than that.