Two 6-Year-Olds to Be Buried in Newtown Today

Newtown is bracing for the heartbreaking task of burying the victims of Friday's school massacre. The first two funerals for the 20 young children will be held today, one for 6-year-old Jack Pinto, who might be buried in New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz's jersey, and the other for Noah Pozner, a boy the same age who was fascinated by all things mechanical, the AP reports. (NBC News notes that Noah's twin sister, who was assigned to another classroom, survived.) The Courant has a list of services scheduled so far. Elsewhere in the devastated community:

• The town's only undertaker says he has had to bring in more than 25 new workers to help him handle the "week from hell," the New York Daily News reports. The families are coping well, considering the situation, he says, adding that some have opted for open caskets to help bring closure.
• Around 100 funeral directors across the state have joined those offering the community their support, reports the New York Times. They have provided the use of their hearses, and manufacturers have donated coffins. Clergy members, meanwhile, say the town's darkest hour has brought them closer together. "At the same time we’re in a very dark place, we’re in a very sacred place," the town's rabbi says. "Everybody, for the last two days, are brothers and sisters. You can hug strangers in the street."
• In schools across Connecticut, uniformed police officers will be present both inside and outside as students return to classes, the Hartford Courant reports. Officials say the police presence is meant to reassure students that schools are safe. Most schools also have grief counselors ready.

(More Newtown, Connecticut stories.)