Conn. funeral homes help with victims' funerals

HARTFORD, Conn. — A funeral industry representative says funeral directors in Connecticut and outside the state are offering to help funeral homes in western Connecticut plan rites and services for more than two dozen victims of a mass shooting at a Newtown elementary school.

Pasquale Folino, president of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, said the industry group met Saturday to mobilize a team of funeral homes and funeral directors to help colleagues in the aftermath of the shootings that killed 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. The group represents 220 funeral homes.

He said funeral directors in Connecticut are offering caskets, hearses, staff and other resources to funeral homes in the Newtown area.

Folino says funeral homes from around the United States also are emailing and calling with offers of help.