The chapel at Hollywood Forever was packed with people, many shedding tears as they said goodbye to Joanna Ramos.
"We're just gonna miss her a lot," said friend Jessica Walker, crying. "She was too young to leave us, and she's gone now, but she's in a better place."
Doves were released outside the chapel in tribute just before Ramos's body was laid to rest at a mausoleum in the cemetery. Friends said it saddens them that the girl's life was cut so short.
"She never got to grow up," said friend Jennifer Walker. "She didn't get to go to the prom, she didn't get to go to her wedding, or to her college."
Ramos was a fifth grader at Willard Elementary School in Long Beach. She died last week from blunt force trauma she suffered during a planned fight, which friends said was over a boy.
Ramos's mother, Cecilia Villanueva, said the support from the community is helping her get through difficult days.
"Tomorrow is Monday; I don't know how I can handle this," said Villanueva. "Every morning, we'd deal with school and everything, and she's not here anymore."
