Thousands of people surrounded Norm Berryman's coffin to say goodbye to the rugby great for the final time as he was lowered into the ground in Perth on Wednesday.

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.

It was standing room only at the funeral service with about 500 people packed into the Warwick church - but the crowd almost doubled for the burial at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park afterwards.

Wanneroo Rugby Club president Francis Williams said it was a very moving ceremony.

A spirited haka was performed as the coffin, draped in Maori decoration, was lowered into the ground.

"Right at the end it started raining so people were saying it was almost like there was tears coming down from heaven.

"I think it hit a lot of people there, even more than the service," Mr Williams said.

The emotional speeches at the graveside were all about remembering "Norm and his infectious smile", he said.

But there were a few laughs when people mentioned his "Bob Marley religion" alongside his strong church and family connections, he said.

Earlier in the day there were tears and laughter during the hour-long funeral service attended by family, friends and the rugby community including representatives from almost even premier-grade rugby club in Perth.

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

"People were talking about how Norm was very much a dedicated father and family man.

"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.

He grew up in Whangarei and played 107 games for Northland between 1991 and 2003 and represented the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues in Super Rugby.

He last played professionally in France in the early 2000s, before moving to Perth and playing club rugby.

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.

A Give a Little page set up to raise money to support his family has reached $17,000.