Charon

[druiaghtagh]

From what civilisation does Charon the boatman come and what was his fare?

[froggequene]

Charon originates in Greek mythology, he carried souls across the Styx and his payment was a coin.

[Cathy]

For the living the payment was a sprig of mistletoe.

[xyzzyplugh]

two pennies one on each eye is still tradition at some funerals?

[Allen Crisp]

I vaguely remember from my Greek studies at school (more years ago than you'd want to know about) that the fare was one "obol", which I think was a low denomination Greek coin.

[Ewood27]

Charon is indeed from Greek mythology. You can read about him and the surrounding story at http://www.bartleby.com/65/ha/Hades.html