Even on the podcast, initial reactions they said August is dead. So, I will just go with that for now. Between the time he saw Emma last, and the breaking of the curse, he would be considered dead — no life in him. I did read in an interview with Eion Baileythat there is some more planned for next season, so I am fully expecting that he will be given life again somehow, whether through the breaking of the curse, or the magic that is coming, or the BF.