As four of the five young girls were laid to rest, tales of selfless heroism emerged of one victim, who reportedly asked killer Charles Roberts to "shoot me first," to save her classmates.
And the grief looked set to deepen, as US media reports said one critically wounded schoolgirl had been taken off life support in hospital and brought back to her spartan Pennsylvania home to die.
Simple ceremonies
The reclusive Amish sect, which disdains trappings of the modern world, turned in on itself, as hundreds of mourners gathered at simple funeral rites for each child.
Each girl was to be buried in a plain pine coffin, using no metal in accordance with the Amish belief that all human remains should return to dust.
The dead were dressed by female relatives in plain white dresses, and laid out at home in open caskets as mourners arrived to pay respects, said Rita Rhodes, a local midwife who delivered two of the victims.
Those laid to rest were 13 year-old Marian Fisher, seven year-old Naomi Rose Ebersole, eight year-old Mary Liz Miller and her seven-year-old sister, Lena. All died in the simple one-room schoolhouse before Roberts turned the gun on himself.
Police sealed off roads leading into the small town of Nickel Mines, while a no-fly zone was enforced to prevent media helicopters buzzing overhead.
Victim's bravery
As the services went ahead, ABC News reported a stunning tale of bravery from the oldest victim, Marian Fisher, who reportedly stepped forward and told Roberts to gun her down in a bid to save her classmates.
"Shoot me first," she reportedly said.
Ms Rhodes said her younger sister Barbie, who survived the attack, then stepped forward and said: "shoot me second."
"There was a tremendous amount of calm and courage in that schoolroom," said Ms Rhodes.
The funeral for Ebersole was first and was followed by a cortege to the hilltop Georgetown Amish cemetery for a simple burial.
A large black carriage carried the coffin and was followed by Amish families in 32 horse draw buggies and two big open carriages.
A sign in front of one house on the route said "Our thoughts and prayers to all the families".
The other ceremonies were to follow and the funeral of 12-year-old Anna Mae Stoltzfus to take place within the next day or so.
Officials at the Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey refused to comment on the reports that a sixth victim had been taken home to die, citing a family request for confidentiality.
Four other girls aged between six and 13 remain hospitalized in critical or serious condition.