As Amazing Grace rang out, hundreds of mourners bowed their heads to remember 10-year-old Sophie Wang in the Gold Coast twilight.
The usually tranquil Emerald Lakes community has been left reeling after Sophie was found dead at her home on Tuesday night, allegedly killed by her mother.
Students at Sophie's school, Emmanuel College, led a sombre rendition of the hymn at an hour-long candlelight vigil on Friday as locals tried to come to terms with the tragedy.
Local Tamara Christensen told AAP the local area was her "happy place".
However, she said the community had been shattered since Sophie's father Yun Wang discovered his daughter's body at their home.
Sophie was declared dead at the "incredibly confronting" scene and her mother Yingying Xu, 46, was later charged with murder.
"Gutted, I felt sick," Ms Christensen said of her reaction to the news.
"The last couple of days it's just felt sad, eerie.
"How could it happen? I just felt like I should come down here and pay my respects."
A picture of Sophie was placed near a fountain at the vigil and people took turns to place candles around it.
A minute's silence was held before the crowd was addressed by the principal of Sophie's school.
"This is a testament to the strength of our community," Dan Brown said.
"Thank you all for being here to cherish Sophie."
Amazing Grace was followed by a prayer at the gathering, which was also attended by local state member Meaghan Scanlon, Queensland Police and Gold Coast Suns AFL players.
The vigil was held hours after an emotional service at Emmanuel College amid a public outpouring of grief for the year five student.
Floral tributes have been placed at her home, which is one street away from Emmanuel College where hundreds gathered for Friday's chapel service.
The chapel could not accommodate all the mourners, with the service broadcast outside.
Flowers and messages were left at a makeshift memorial at the school.
"What will continue is Sophie's legacy and her memory," Mr Brown told reporters earlier on Friday.
"She will be remembered as a bright, intelligent, thoughtful ... girl that loved her academics, loved reading.
She also loved to sing and she was caring and compassionate and was a really great friend - those memories will live on."
Mr Brown said he was feeling "complete devastation" before confirming the school had offered counselling to students, staff and parents.
"They have shown incredible respect, character and strength for this particular tragedy," he said of his staff and students' response to the tragedy.
"They wrapped their hands around each other.
"I would also like to express, on behalf of the school, my deepest gratitude to the broader community for their well-wishes."
The community is also rallying around Sophie's father, Dr Wang, a respected academic.
Dr Wang reportedly could be heard by neighbours screaming when he discovered Sophie's body.
He is an associate professor in chemistry and forensic science at Griffith University.
"The incident on the Gold Coast is just heartbreaking," Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said.
"These sorts of events really do impact the entire community."
Xu was remanded in custody after her case came before Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was adjourned until November 29.
Police said they were continuing to investigate the motive of the alleged homicide, including the social media activity of the accused.
