Final answer:
If Beowulf dies, Hrothgar won't have to provide an expensive funeral according to Germanic customs because Beowulf is a Geat, not a Dane. Funeral responsibilities reside with Beowulf's own king in Geatland.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Beowulf dies, Hrothgar, the king in the poem, will not have to provide an expensive funeral in accordance with Germanic traditions because Beowulf is not one of Hrothgar's own warriors nor a member of his kingdom. According to the customs described in various historical sources, a chieftain or king was expected to provide funerals and compensate for their own people. These customs, which include the wergild or 'blood price', revolve around the social status and associations within the society. However, Beowulf is a Geat, not a Dane like Hrothgar, and thus the responsibility for his funeral rights would fall to his own king back in Geatland.
Funeral customs were a significant aspect of Germanic society and could be quite elaborate, as evidenced by the description of the funeral rituals conducted for kings and chieftains. The importance of these rituals, which often included sacrifices and elaborate ceremonies, helped to reinforce the social hierarchy and the reputation of the deceased individual.