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Jonah Lomu: Queen sent her condolences – family spokesman

Quirk said that the family were still in the process of finalising funeral arrangements.

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Lomu, who was awaiting another transplant and undergoing dialysis treatment, had undertaken commercial obligations at the recent Rugby World Cup in England, won by New Zealand. He went to bed on Tuesday and he was fine.

Hepi, who was carrying white roses, cried and it was revealed Friday is her birthday.

Church leaders have been given the blessing of the Lomu family to organise the service.

But as his family prepares for a public memorial service in his honour, we’re learning that Lomu’s gentle spirit reached right around the world and touched the hearts of people from all walks of life.

“…There are obviously a lot of costs involved because it could be huge in terms of the number of people who would want to turn out and pay their respects, so that would be far too big a burden for the family to pay”.

Prime Minister John Key, speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the Apec summit in Manila, said there would be Government support for a public memorial service.

The 63-Test veteran, who became a worldwide superstar, died at his home in Auckland on Wednesday, aged 40, sparking tributes locally and around the world.

However his career as a rampaging winger was interrupted by the serious kidney condition Nephrotic Syndrome, which means the organ leaks protein from the body.

Jonah told Matangi Tonga in an interview at the time, “I spent two years of my childhood in Tonga with my mother’s family in Ha’apai while my younger brother stayed here on the main island with my father’s family”.

Auckland Council and New Zealand Rugby have said they are working with the family on an appropriate memorial.

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Meanwhile, Mr Quirk’s daughter and Lomu’s third wife, Nadene, has set up a Givealittle page which she says will raise money for the couple’s children’s upbringing and education.

Lomu's family touched by tributes to legendary winger