The threat of permanent death has ceased to be a major concern for all but low-level parties since the release of 3.0 and into Pathfinder. In concept I've always liked the idea of resurrection being something truly special. In practice, however, I like being able to bring back dead characters. I've seen ideas to eliminate resurrection spells, the "You Come Back Wrong" option, and ideas based purely on GM fiat (which is fine for NPCs).
I'm curious how other GMs feel on the topic and if they perceive it as a problem, how they handle it.
I'll start off with the method I've used for several years now and hope it gets the ball rolling:
At character generation, I secretly roll 1d4 + 1 (or 1d4 + 5 if a homebrew "Nine Lives" trait is selected). The result is the number of Fate Points a character has. Fate points determine the number of times a PC or special NPC may return from the dead without repercussions.
Once this pool is depleted, the deity presiding over the dead and judgement marks the PC (with her symbol over their heart) and begins sending agents after the PC to bring them in. Additionally, the deity occasionally returns a previously defeated nemesis of the PC to life on condition of slaying the PC. Death by the deity's agents or the nemesis is permanent. There are ways to get "unmarked", though difficult.
It has proven to be very beneficial in terms of story, without being heavy-handed or resulting in arbitrary decisions on my part. The allowance of certain villains returning, through the bargain with the deity, has also allowed for the return of some favorite villains.
Some alternate requirements/drawbacks to resurrection, all off the top of my head. Some of them are of the "you come back wrong" variety... but, what the heck, here are interesting options anyway:
1) Resurrections require legitimately rare material components: Heart of an old dragon, crystallized god-breath, etc. Let's face it, although acquiring a solid ####gp diamond should be an ordeal, it often isn't.
2) Resurrections require a soul in exchange: The party must find an NPC willing (not magically forced, or coerced) to give their life to save the dead PC. Heroes with good reputations will have an easier time with this, though guilt may be a issue.
3) Resurrections require a special place and/or time of day/week/month to be performed properly: Only during a full moon, on a mountain peak, etc. Should be handled carefully, depending on campaign setting/style.
4) Resurrections require additional cooperative casters depending on number of times the character has died: One caster for first or second death, two casters cooperating for third or fourth death, etc. Basically, people who die often require more casters to petition their god on the PC's behalf.
5) Resurrections after a certain number become Reincarnations instead. Can be a major curve to any PC, though may potentially open avenues of opportunity as well.
6) Resurrections after a certain number begin to erode the character's being, potentially undoing any attribute increases normally acquired every fourth level (or the highest attribute score, if the increases are unknown). This penalty is limited to some extent (at some point, you can't get any worse).
7) Resurrections after a certain number begin to alter the PC: For every resurrection, the PC must change his last feat selection to a feat that he/she has never had before. Penalizes (delays) PCs who are striving for specific builds.
8) Resurrections shorten the PCs lifespan: Whenever a PC is brought back to life, subtract 10% of the PC's venerable age listing in years from the PC's maximum age. For example, a human (venerable age: 70) has 7 years subtracted from his/her maximum age whenever brought back from the dead. When current age exceeds maximum age, further resurrections fail (barring deific intervention). An "invisible" mechanic, but may work for long-term campaigns.
9) Resurrections after a certain number bestow permanent curses upon the PC's loved-ones. No problem for villains, but heroes may wince at the idea.
10) Resurrections after a certain number cause physical manifestations: Eyes become bloodshot, skin turns pale, hair whitens/falls out, etc. More of an aesthetic effect, but NPCs may recognize such symptoms and have superstitions/prejudices about anyone showing them.
11) Resurrections after a certain number cause the PC's soul to become fractured: When the PC is raised, a number of corpses elsewhere (somewhere within the region) become skeletons/zombies/worse which must be exterminated. Until they are destroyed, the permanent negative level upon being raised cannot be removed by any means. The undead should probably have total HD appropriate to be a significant challenge to the party.
That's all I got for now. As a GM, #11 would have the most appeal to me personally I think. Clerics would likely make the party promise to eliminate such threats as a condition to resurrect the fallen hero.
I preferred it be rarer in my (homebrew) game. The result; Raise Dead has a limited duration. It is meant to give a character some time to settle their affairs, finish what they were into or get back to where a Resurrection spell is available (which is permanent). It's different (and takes some getting used to), cuts back on the permanent return to life and has spawned some interesting role playing. There's nothing like a wake where the deceased is an active participant :D
Then too, different temples have their own requirements for resurrection and their are inheritance laws that prevent or restrict it...
It has also made Reincarnation more popular as a lower level alternative to "just plain dead" :) and personally, I've always found reincarnation to be entertaining...
Some alternate requirements/drawbacks to resurrection, all off the top of my head. Some of them are of the "you come back wrong" variety... but, what the heck, here are interesting options anyway:
[...]
8) Resurrections shorten the PCs lifespan: Whenever a PC is brought...
I really like the price aspect of your #11 and #10 is something I may definitely add in with regard to the gypsy ethnic groups in my setting.
I preferred it be rarer in my (homebrew) game. The result; Raise Dead has a limited duration. [...] It has also made Reincarnation more popular as a lower level alternative to "just plain dead" :) and personally, I've always found reincarnation to be entertaining...
I rather like your method as well. I may add in a "clause" that makes reincarnation either reset the PCs fate points or buys them a "free" pass until their next death to encourage its use. In roughly 20 years of gaming, I've NEVER had a PC intentionally go for a reincarnation.