News Release

​​Funeral Services Announced for Jonah Lomu

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced details today for next Tuesday’s funeral services for Jonah Lomu. 

The services will take place from 10am on Tuesday 1 December at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ meetinghouse at 15 Robertson Road, Mangere, Auckland. 

Family members and friends are invited to attend at the Robertson Road meetinghouse. Others who wish to pay their respects are welcome to attend gatherings in four other locations around Auckland where a video feed will be broadcast.

The live streaming broadcast will be available at the Church’s meetinghouses in: Mt Roskill (Pah Road); North Shore (Sunset Road), South Auckland (Redoubt Road) and Massey (Lincoln Park Avenue).

Taking photographs, videos or sound recordings are not permitted in any of the five locations during the service.

“Funeral services are some of the most solemn and sacred meetings of the Church,” said former president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Boyd K. Packer (1924—2015).

“It is a time of caring and support when families gather in a spirit of tender regard for one another. It is a time to soberly contemplate doctrines of the gospel and the purposes for the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  
 
Information for News Media
 
Presiding Church Authority: Elder Kevin W. Pearson, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
 
Conducting: President Anthony S. Wilson, President of the Auckland New Zealand Mt Roskill Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
 
Media Accreditation: Journalists wishing to report on the funeral service are invited to contact the Church’s Auckland directors of public affairs, Junior and Muriel Samuela, before the service. Journalists who attend the service will be asked to show their media credentials upon arrival.
 
Media Section: A section of the chapel (rear, to one side) will be designated for news media. To help maintain the reverence of the service we ask that media professionals do not move about during the service.
 
Photography and Videography: Photos and video can be shot by accredited news media before the service; during the first 15 minutes of the service; and after the service concludes. Flash photography will not be permitted. 
 
Interviews: Church spokespersons will be available for interviews with news media at the Robertson Road meetinghouse at 9:00am; and at other times, if available, upon request.
 
Respect for the Family and the Occasion: News media professionals are asked to please respect the family’s wishes and feelings by conducting themselves in a dignified and respectful manner. Requests for family interviews should be directed to the family’s spokesperson, Mr John Hart. 
 
Public Affairs Contacts for News Media: Junior and Muriel Samuela: 027 286 6555; nzsamuela@gmail.com
 

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.