Humble nothing,
Nuranar, you're "spot on", as The Saucepan Man would say.
I know this is going to sound awfully cheeky, but I knew Tolkien couldn't put graveyards (or churchyards) in the Shire because they are indeed associated with churches in his beloved West Midlands. I didn't want to mention it because I wanted someone else to.
Okay. So Tolkien couldn't put it in because it wouldn't work. So how about a little assistance to the professor? Let's imagine that we're subcreating for him because he's delegated this tiny task to us. How should it be done? What would the burial customs be in the Shire for pre-religious hobbits? Any ideas?
For that matter, what about handfasting (marriage) customs? What would they have been?
yours most recklessly, LMP