I am surprised that the death of the Emperor has not affected the game more. Sure, you are in Skyrim and not in Cyrodiil, and they have plenty of their own problems (the death of the High King, the Stormcloak Rebellion,...) but the only faction that seem to care about Emperors fate are the Penitus Oculatus, and even they never stood a chance against the mighty Dragonborn. Imperials stationed in Solitude and around the Skyrim seem like they haven't acknowledged the Emperor's death (apart from some comments and notes).
In my opinion, his death is only cannon because the PC has no chance of seeing the impact of his acts on the Empire. Sure he must have heirs, even the Uriel Septim from Oblivion had them. Otherwise, the death of the Emperor would mean crisis in Cyrodiil, which would have a massive impact on Imperial units stationed in Skyrim.
I am only curious what we'll see in TESVI.