Families, and friends have begun to say their last goodbyes to victims of the tragic mass shooting at Pulse nightclub. The tragedy is still so fresh in the hearts and minds of those connected to the victims as they come and pay their respects.

At least nine people have had wakes or funerals on Friday, as make the final preparations for their loved one's burials.

On Friday, mourners gathered in the Puerto Rican town of Guanica as Angel Candelario Padro, 28, was given an open-casket wake in his parent's home beofre his funeral on Saturday. His body was visited by approximately 50 relatives who gathered around his casket, where he was laid wearing a doctor's coat and a stetheoscop in reference to his work as an ophthalmic technician. Relatives said that he will be taken to his final resting place in a glass horse-drawn carriage, because he deserves "only the best."

Meanwhile another wake was held in Puerto Rico on Firday for Javier Jorge Reyes, a 40-year-old salesman and makeup artist, in the town of Guayama.

A wake also took place for 32-year-old Christopher Leinonen. He and his boyfriend, Juan Ramon Guerrero both died in the shooting.

Many others are having wakes in burials as their loved ones mourn their loss in the profound tragedy. 

These men and women were all innocent victims, simply trying to enjoy their lives, and celebrate their right to be who they wanted to be, and love who they wanted to love. They were taken from us far too quickly, and while they are gone, they will not be forgotten as their memory will live on forever.