Not so very close family bonds
 

After reading the thread "why did Merry & Pippin choose to be buried in Gondor," I was struck by this question: How would their kin feel about them in Gondor? I mean,they were still hobbits, they were still blood-related to the Shirefolk who never left their home?

After reading that part, I noticed this, but I kept forgetting it. Now I remembered! ;) Actually, I thought of it because I am very close-bonded to my dad, mom, and little bro--were Merry and Pippin not that attached to their kin?

I think Hobbits, generally, did indeed have close family bonds. So, also Merry and Pippin. M&P had on the other hand also very close bonds with Aragorn, both as friends of Aragorn and of the people of Gondor and as loyal servants towards their King (especially Pip, of course).

Also, they never show the hobbits being terribly hung up over their burial customs. They memories of their ancestors seem be held in geneologies and bedtime stories. We don't see Frodo or Bilbo visiting the gravesites of their parents, or even thinking about them, really. The other two hobbits of the Company chose to pass out of the world in an altogether different manner than the friends and family they left behind, and we know that Sam, at least, had VERY strong family ties.

Expanding on what JennyHallu said about hobbits not "hung up" over burials-
They were close to their families since they all waited until their spouses had passed on. It's definitely written of Sam and I'm assuming it was the same for Merry and Pippen. Also their children were grown and possibly even grandchildren were grown (I don't have my books to check exact timeline) so it's not like they left the family high and dry.
More like retirement and laid to rest where they were.

EDIT: Just saw this.

Thanks for finding that link, Holbytlass! Since both threads discuss basically the same question, I will merge them as soon as those involved have had a chance to see this notice.