NEWTOWN, Conn. (WHDH) -- Church bells welcomed pained parishioners where funeral plans are underway for eight children who died in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Many are asking why this happened.

“I kept saying why, I don’t understand why. Like everyone else said, I don’t understand why,” said a resident.

One teacher said the adults need to show strength for the children.

“Show them how much we love them every single, solid day. I can’t imagine these parents. I can’t imagine losing a child,” she said.

Many parishioners described the sermon as uplifting.

“He mentioned one of the little girls was going to be an angel in the play. And my thought was, she’s already an angel,” a parishioner said.

The loss was also felt at a local synagogue where the parents of another victim attend. His funeral will be held Monday.

Many seeking comfort went to the middle school where they met with counselors and each other. The lobby filled with flowers and stuffed animals.

“We saw a quote of a girl who lost her brother that said, ‘who am I going to play with now?’ so we just got a bunch of stuffed animals and stuff to provide anything. When it’s this close to you, you feel like you have to do something,” said a resident.

Two funerals are planned for Monday. Two dozen more will be held in the days ahead.