What do you think of the custom of placing bouquets, stuffed animals, candles outside homes, businesses, or schools where there has been a fatality?

Canada just had a RCMP officer on suspension fatally stab another RCMP who was sitting in his car writing notes. Now the hospital parking lot is filling up with flowers, etc. The slain officer had 4 children. In this case and in every other sensless killing, I think money spent this way could be better used by families, donated to charities, something useful.