Many people had already been / already went
to church ? by / by the time they arrived at
the cemetery. They came here to light candles
by the graves, and perhaps to meet relatives that
they didn't see / hadn't seen for ages. Everyone
had the day off work, and they'd already buy
/ bought candles and flowers. By / By the time
it got dark, the cemetery had been filled with
candles. By / By the time midnight, everyone
had gone home, but the cemetery was still full of
light.​