Gothic

Charon the Ferryman is the entity charged with guiding the souls of the dead across the afterlife's river Styx. He fancied a day off, so he's persuaded his colleague Death (who normally handles the bit just before this) to mind the coracle for him.

It hasn't occurred to Death that, because he didn't get anyone to stand-in for him, the bereft of life are stuck at Death's Door unable to reach the riverbank. He assumes it's just a slow day, and is taking advantage of the lull to do a spot of fishing. Styx bream are delicious, you know.

Real-life sinister cowled figures know better than to sit meditating with a naked flame perched betwixt their crossed ankles, especially when their flowing robe happens to be 100% polyester.

This chap should be all right though. His hand-painted resin form remains absolutely motionless and perfectly spirit level while toting your tealight as long as it lasts.

Height: 16cm approx.

"Seasons don't fear the Reaper / Nor do the the wind, the sun or the rain"

So wrote Blue Öyster Cult's Buck Dharma in 1976, possibly after a summer holiday in Edinburgh. Mind you, Buck underestimated the daily global mortality rate by 2/3, so who needs his expertise?

While a death is always a time of loss, let's not forget that it is also a horticultural opportunity. When we go to sleep in the earth, the earth benefits, and erelong new life bursts forth. (OK, a bunch of roses will never replace uncle Fred, but you have to see the bigger picture.)