Since, as I understand, the greatest honor for vikings was dying in battle and going to Valhalla, it made me wonder the above question. Were old Vikings regarded as heroes, "normal" or instead disgraces since they did not die an honorable death in battle?
the greatest honor for vikings was dying in battle and going to Valhalla,
Please see /u/Steelcan909's excellent answer on Valhalla, and how the whole thing is, essentially, speculation here.