• Nadene Lomu updates message on her Givealittle page • Money to help provide for her children • She plans to set up a charitable trust to 'continue Jonah's work' • Lomu's father-in-law thanks well-wishers
Jonah Lomu's family said this morning that there were "truly touched by the outpouring of love" for the rugby legend.
Lomu's father-in-law, Mervyn Quirk, issued a statement on behalf of the family, thanking all those "who have expressed their sympathies for our family at this incredibly difficult time".
"We are truly touched by the outpouring of love for Jonah and the support for our family," he said.
"While we grieve for a husband, father, son, brother and good mate, we know that many people in New Zealand and around the world are mourning a very special individual.
"We are continuing to discuss with various parties, how we can best celebrate Jonah's life and allow people to commemorate his achievements and contributions during an all too short time on this Earth."
Lomu's wife has given more details as to why she set up a Givealittle page the day after he tragically died aged 40.
Nadene Lomu said yesterday that she set up a fundraising page in a bid to fulfil her late husband's dreams.
Jonah Lomu and Nadene Lomu in a picture posted to her Facebook page on November 15. Photo / Supplied
Lomu, 40, died of a cardiac arrest. He had an ongoing battle with a rare kidney disorder known as nephrotic syndrome and underwent a transplant in 2004.
"The Legacy of Jonah Lomu" page went live on Givealittle yesterday morning, but the page and the Givealittle site crashed not long after due to the sheer amount of visitors. The site was back up yesterday afternoon and has so far raised more than $4000.
In her original message posted on the Givealittle page, Mrs Lomu did not give any specifics on what she planned to do with the money, simply vowing to make a difference.
"Jonah and I had big plans to make a difference in the world with all that he learnt," she said.
She said he would always be a "great husband, father inspiration and icon to the world" and he and she wanted to build a lasting legacy with the support of his fans.
"Jonah has left this Earth too soon leaving us all empty hearted. Through Jonah's strength which remains in our two sons and myself, with his spirit that will forever be by my side, my promise is to bring the visions we both had planned to do together."
In an updated message on the page, she explained that the money was to provide for the family's future and help with "the upbringing of our children and their education".
"We had plans to travel overseas early in 2016 to pursue business opportunities which would provide for our family's future. Unfortunately that will no longer be possible.
"All funds raised on this page will go towards helping me to support our family, assisting with the upbringing of our children and their education.
"In the future, I plan to set up a charitable trust to continue Jonah's work and legacy with children all around the world, and I will update this page with more details of this when I can."
A second Givealittle page set up by the Spark Foundation has raised more than $5600. All donations there will go to Kidney Kids - a charity Lomu was deeply involved with.
Yesterday, friends and family visited Lomu's home in Auckland to pay their respects and give support to Mrs Lomu and her young boys, Brayley, 6, and Dhyreille, 5.
Among the visitors was Lomu's mother, Hepi, who was seen leaving her son's Auckland home yesterday picking up a yellow rose left on the driveway and smiling.
Yesterday, Nadene Lomu was not ready to speak publicly about his death. She was with relatives and focusing on her children.
She was also making funeral plans, helped by church leaders. The family are Mormons and Lomu was baptised into the church in 2012.
Details of his funeral are expected to be announced in the next few days.
New Zealand Rugby spokesman Mike Jaspers said it was too early to speculate on whether the union would be involved with the funeral in an official capacity.
Prime Minister John Key said a state funeral was possible but unlikely. State funerals were usually reserved for former Governors-General and Prime Ministers.
"It is not impossible, but ... hasn't been the modern way we have dealt with these issues," Mr Key said.
"There are other ways we could provide some support, if the family wanted that ... for instance, an official memorial service.
"That is what happened for Sir Peter Blake. It is also the pathway that David Lange's family took."
Mr Key ruled out a posthumous knighthood for the rugby star. But he acknowledged the outpouring of support, love and grief for Lomu and his family from the public in New Zealand and across the world.
