Behind the Folklore - Death Takes A Holiday

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REAPERS
Death as a living, sentient entity is a concept that has existed in all known societies since the beginnings of recorded history. The most common representation of death is that of modern European folk-lore: The Grimm Reaper a.k.a. Grimm Spectre of Death.
In Breton mythology, the reaper takes on the form of Ankou, who is described as a tall man who wears a wide-brimmed hat and long coat.
In Hindu mythology, the lord of death is called Yama and is one of the rulers of the eight sides. He rides a black buffalo and carries a rope lasso to carry the soul back to his abode.
In Japanese mythology, death is personified as Enma, also known as Enma Ou and Enma Daiou. Enma rules the underworld, which makes him similar to Hades, and he decides whether someone dead goes to heaven or to hell.
Islam’s “angel of death” is 'Izrail, the English form of which is Azrael. He is charged with the task of separating and returning from the bodies the souls of people who are to be recalled permanently from the physical world back to the primordial spiritual world.

Tessa, one of the reapers in this episode, was previously seen in Season 2's "In My Time of Dying".


OTHER REFERENCES
Dean: Last I checked, Huggy Bear isn't available.
Referencing the supporting character Huggy Bear Brown (Antonio Fargas) from the TV series Starsky and Hutch.

Dean: I'm so feeling up Demi Moore.
Referencing the 1990 movie Ghost, starring Moore and Patrick Swayze. Swayze as a ghost tries to touch Moore's character repeatedly.

Sam: Dude, I'm not gonna do Fight Club with a 12-year-old.
Referencing the 1996 novel and subsequent 1999 movie starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton.

Dean: No thanks, House.
Referring to the main character of the television drama House. Dr. Gregory House is a medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians. He is portrayed by Hugh Laurie.