The idea of allowing a character of the same level, might not work so well, depending on the level of the party, the character may be 3 to 4 levels behind the party by the time he catches up. In the past I have allowed a person 3 choices, 2 of the choices depend on the level and resources of the group. The group can try to find a way to raise the character (same character minus one level), the party can try to find a true reserection (same character same level), third if the character is perma dead, or the party/player does not want to raise the character, I allow the new character to enter the group, minus two levels, base xp for that level. This way the player will be able to contribute to the group, and the party is less likley to run off into the hills to seek out adventure outside the module in order to gain xp/items for the new character.