Mark 5:38

‘And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue and he sees a tumult, and great weeping and wailing.'

The funeral preparations had already begun, and that required loud and public mourning. This would include the presence of paid professional mourners to ensure that the dead were mourned adequately. Their purpose was in order to demonstrate the deep concern of the family about the death, wailing and demonstrating loudly and enabling the family to mourn more quietly. That there had been time to call in professional mourners indicated that the death had been expected and preparations had already been made. Jairus' steward would have arranged for them. It is possible that Jairus had left not saying where he was going, and besides his attempt would probably only seen as a desperate chance. Most were probably resigned to the death.

‘A tumult and great weeping and wailing.' More than just private grief. This is not just the numbed grief of those close to the girl as they await the father's return. This readiness for the girl's death indicates how desperate had been her father's last vain effort, a last desperate hope when all hope was really gone.