Possibly they are random villagers who were caught in the crossfire of a conflict between different bending factions. Aang, being the Avatar and a symbol of peace, feels responsible for burying them and ensuring their spirits are at peace.
Tanjiro might use his sense of smell to detect hidden threats. Since his sense of smell is super - enhanced, he could sniff out any demons or traps in the way of saving Rengoku. For example, if there are demons disguised as allies, Tanjiro would be able to tell by their scent.
Well, it could be about Aang dealing with the emotional and spiritual aspects of burying the dead. Maybe he's in a situation where he has to bury fallen comrades and he reflects on the cycle of life and death in the Avatar universe.
Yes, in some fanfictions, Tanjiro is depicted as the reincarnation of Yoriichi. This concept adds an interesting layer to the story as Yoriichi was an extremely powerful and legendary figure in the original lore. The idea allows for new storylines where Tanjiro might inherit some of Yoriichi's skills or have a deeper connection to the past events related to Yoriichi.
Tanjiro's fate in the manga is that he ultimately passed away. This event was a significant part of the story's development and had a profound impact on the other characters and the overall plot.