Wanganui Rugby Football Union chief executive Dale Cobb said he includes among his duties attending funerals to offer support to those in the rugby community affected by loss.
As there are such "close links" across the district between players and volunteers, this role has become very taxing, Cobb said.
"I feel like a professional mourner.
"It has been a tragic year and it's just one of those things."
The loss of the men at such a young age, when they still had contributions they could make to the game, only added to the sense of grief.
As well as the silent tributes the WRFU will recognise the deceased in their records, as is customary practice.
"At our AGM we honour those that have passed in the last season," said Cobb.
He said normally the union would ask the rugby community to send them notices of people with rugby connections who have died, although they understand if some families coping with grief would prefer if their deceased were not mentioned.
"It's [still] a procedure that I think is necessary. It's a protocol, we need to respect they are our members and affiliated to our members."
