In the end it does depend largely on the circumstances, but as a darkfic writer, there are very few scenarios where a death is left untouched by something sinister - it doesn't have to be splatterpunk (though, if it is, it probably should at least carry that warning. Mind, I've never actually seen anyone categorize their fic as such. Or "visceral" for that matter.)

If dark fiction banks on subgenres like romance noir, comedy noir, etc. most readers might as well just hold onto their butts and hope for a good ride. BUT. (There's always a but). Everyone's got a different definition of "darkfic", so in the end, as you mentioned, it'd be a case by case scenario.

What I mean to say is, when it's not overt, and only the ending has the portent to be dark because of a major death - is that when you label it as such? I do. But then again, I've got a handful of readers (a small handful at that) and they more or less expect that of me.

I'd like to see a couple of recommendations, if you have them, where the death of a major character doesn't have a bit of the old macabre worked in, though. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that that could be considered purely optimistic or, "happy".

I hope this makes sense. I'm at that point of the day before my second cup of coffee.