Nation Theme of Death

Any book that stars a god of death is going to have mortality as a theme. Nation is no different. All of Terry Pratchett's books have Death in them. Usually he's a giant skeleton wearing a black robe, carrying a scythe, and TALKING LIKE THIS. Mau's god of death, Locaha, is a little different. At least, we think he is. We never get a clear idea of what he looks like. But when he represents death, and most people probably see him only once, does it matter what he looks like?

1. How do Mau and Daphne's coping strategies differ? They've both lost people they loved. Does their awareness of mortality bring them together?
2. Why is it so important for Mau to perform his people's burial ritual?
3. How does having a god of death, one that Mau can see and talk to, affect Mau's relationship with death?
4. Is Locaha a good god or a bad god? Is he a force for evil or a force for good?