That's a great example. Even the most strident materialist must acknowledge a deeper sense of meaning in a cultural touchstone like that.

An everyday ritual like laying flowers on someone's grave is another example of this concept. Even a hardcore atheist would have difficulty opposing this practice, despite no living person actually benefitting from the flowers being there. Maybe you could say the person who puts them there benefits psychologically, but even then, what's the harm in that?

Some other aspects I might add to your ideas: the prediction of the future (through scientific means) and interpretation of dreams.

Btw, have you seen my other comment in this thread or considered checking out /s/altreligion?