An anniversary mass was held for Clodagh, Liam, Niall and Ryan Hawe in Co Cavan on Sunday.
They were murdered in their home last year by Alan Hawe, who killed his wife and children before taking his own life.
A separate anniversary mass will be held in the same church on Wednesday for Hawe, whose body was exhumed from the church’s cemetery in May.
A Sunday’s mass in St Mary’s church in Castlerahan, celebrant Fr Frank Kelleher said: “Lord, only you see the whole picture, both this side of the grave and beyond. We leave all in your hands and ask you to help us as we struggle along seeking meaning in life.”
There was significant public controversy last year after Hawe (40) was buried in the same grave as Clodagh (nee Coll) and Liam (14), Niall (11) and Ryan (6).
Hawe, the vice-principal at the local school, killed his wife and sons on August 29th, 2016, in a protracted attack using knives and a hatchet at the family home near Ballyjamesduff.
Hawe, a Kilkenny native, worked as the vice-principal of the local Castlerahan National School in Ballyjamesduff while Clodagh Hawe taught at Oristown national school in Kells, Co Meath.
An inquest into the deaths is to take place later this year.
It is understood the exhumation took place on the wishes of the family. Before taking his own life, Hawe left a note saying he wanted his remains cremated and his ashes scattered in the ocean.
Clodagh’s family are raising funds for Cavan Lighthouse which will be a family aid refuge in memory of her and her sons.
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