Berryman remembered as family man

Norm Berryman has been remembered at a tangi in Perth. Photo / Francis Williams

It was standing room only at Norm Berryman's funeral in Perth as hundreds of people flocked to say their final goodbyes to the Northland rugby legend.

The former All Black died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 42 last week in Perth, where he had been living and working as a forklift driver. He was survived by six children.

He played 107 games for the Taniwha and Super Rugby for the Crusaders, Blues and Chiefs.

Wanneroo Rugby Club president Francis Williams said there were a lot of tears shed by everyone at yesterday's service.

A rousing haka was performed as the coffin, draped in Maori decoration, was carried out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Warwick, he said.

About 500 people packed into the church including representatives from almost every premier-grade rugby club in Perth as well as family and friends.

Berryman's father-in-law had never been on a plane before but made the special trip over to be with his family.

"It was definitely standing room only," Mr Williams said.

"It was very solemn ... but through that it was happy as well. Just remembering his life and what kind of person he was and I think that's the way Norm would have wanted it to be."

Despite the number of rugby players at the service - including many from Wanneroo Rugby Club where Berryman coached and Kalamunda Districts Rugby Club where he played - most of the speeches focussed on his role as a "family man".

Many of the people who spoke were in the Berryman extended family and a number of songs were sung during the hour-long service, Mr Williams said.

"One person said that as good as he was on the field, he was 100 times better as a father," he said.

Berryman had played in an exhibition match in Italy just weeks before his death in honour of another former All Black, Jerry Collins, who died in a car crash in France in June.

Wanneroo Rugby Club put on a fundraiser at its junior games on Friday night and has created a new trophy - the Norm Berryman Cup - which will kick off between Wanneroo and Kalamunda on August 1.