Almost half the most notable characters in the series died! Egwene, Galad, Siuan Sanche, Gareth Bryne, Gawyn, Birgitte, all those Forsaken, Rhuarc, Bela, and more.
What makes you think of them as less notable? Each of them played a huge role in the series, and certainly deserve a hero's burial...
Likely the same, for tradition- the Amyrlin should still watch the seal on the bore, the Flame of Tar Valon is a weave that has been rediscovered, and the Amyrlin Seat still exists.
Rhuarc's death I saw coming after he fell to compulsion, but the fact that such a strong willed man fell pissed me off- which is exactly what I imagine it was supposed to do. For a moment, I railed against the shadow. For a moment, I felt that strong, strong hatred of the DO and all he had done...