He is dead. In Canon, he dies at Reichenbach Falls.
This serie is full of indirect and non-obvious references, and that's why it's awesome and beautiful.
I think Sherlock predicted what was to come. HE has choosen the meeting site. He took the risk of dying in the fall (but there was a chance of being alive). As he falls, there was ER, ambulance. His brother can do whatever he wants, and his friend works with corpses.
Sherlock was very clear at phone with Watson cause there was a sniper, he left a note, everyone had to be sure.