Memorial trees planted for eight kids killed in Cairns massacre

Hundreds of Cairns residents have attended memorial events to remember the eight children killed in their Manoora home on December 14 last year, including a tree planting service.

Eight frangipanis were today planted near the site of their home, which has since been demolished.

Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers: both videos contain images of people who are deceased.

The slain children included seven siblings and their cousin, and were aged from two to 14.

Raina Mersane Ina Thaiday, 38, the mother of seven of the children, has been charged with their murders.

An unofficial shrine has been established near the site of the old home, and tombstones will be erected next year, as part of Torres Strait Islander custom.

This weekend's memorial events were aimed at helping the community to heal, organisers said.

"It's been very difficult, especially with the children having such big families themselves," family spokesman James Gela said.

"Different people are at different stages of the grieving process, but some of them still feel like it was yesterday."

Many of the children's relatives, part of the tight-knit Torres Strait Islander community, have never spoken publicly about the tragedy.