Post-mortem examinations were being carried out on the bodies of John Joe Sleator and his wife Mary, who were both in their 80s, and their 43-year-old son Patrick who were found shot dead in their farmhouse in Grangecon, Co Wicklow.
Two rifles were recovered from the scene and gardai have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with their deaths.
The couple's two daughters, Deirdre and Carol, who are due to make funeral arrangements in the coming days, have appealed for privacy as they come to terms with the deaths.
Around 100 friends and acquaintances remembered the Sleators today as prayers were offered during a mass service at St Joseph's Church in nearby Baltinglass. The morning mass would have been regularly attended by Mr and Mrs Sleator and their son.
Local curate Father Padraig Shelley, told the congregation that the family would be remembered with great fondness. He said that through their faith and their professional activities as a teacher, farmer and metal worker, they had shown a real sense of community.
Past pupils of Mrs Sleator, who was a school teacher, and members of the local golf club where the couple were prominent members, were among those at the small church.
John Joe was a retired farmer, while Patrick was a local sculptor and metal worker who had a workshop beside the family home.
It is understood a neighbour made the grim discovery after concerns were raised when the family, who were regular church-goers, failed to attend Sunday mass and did not collect their paper.
Parish priest Father Thomas Dillon, who was one of the first at the scene where he prayed over their bodies, said it was a very sad day for everyone in Grangecon and Baltinglass.
"They were such lovely, lovely people and the whole community here, the parish of Baltinglass and Grangecon, are numbed by this happening," he said. "I think it's just dawning on everybody now what has happened.
"There is an air of disbelief and silence around the place. "They were such lovely members of the community here and we all knew them. Everyone knew them."
Fr Dillon described Grangecon - which is between Baltinglass and Dunlavin - as a beautiful idyllic village in west Co Wicklow, with a lovely sense of community.
Fr Dillon added that no funeral arrangements have yet been made.