The wakes, funerals and burials for Melvin Hershberger, Anna Mary Byler, Melvin Hostetler, Sarah Miller and Elizabeth Mast, took place in the towns of Jasper and Woodhull, where they lived with their families and communities.

Community elders say dozens of children lost a parent in the accident. One victim, Sarah Miller, left behind 14 children.

The deaths are undoubtedly tragic, but Amish mourners are likely viewing them somewhat differently than would their “English” neighbors. That’s according to Karen Johnson-Weiner, a professor of anthropology at SUNY Potsdam who works closely with the Amish community. 

"Part of being Amish is giving yourself up to god’s plan, yielding to what god has in mind for you," Johnson-Weiner said. "If you’re amish you know you don’t know, but you must accept, you live a Christian life, follow Christ's example, you accept what’s in store for you."

Johnson-Weiner said the Amish view this life as only a small part of the whole equation. "You’re born, you live and you die. And death is nothing to fear. The Amish see this life as very transitory. It’s the everlasting life you live in hope of," she said. 

The Amish community suspended its regular work late last week to prepare for the funerals: building coffins, digging graves, and figuring out how to accommodate the hundreds they knew would be coming. Non-Amish neighbors helped out as well by doing things like driving long distances and making phone calls.

The driver who caused the crash, Steven Eldridge, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, and driving while intoxicated.