Lomu, 40, died suddenly on November 18, prompting a huge outpouring of messages from around the world for the former All Black.
Lomu's wife Nadene and two sons greeted his casket when it arrived, and his mother Hepi is there.
The `Aho Faka Famili, or day of the family, event at the Vodafone Events Centre in south Auckland is an opportunity for communities from the Pacific to honour Lomu.
Many of the thousands of people wore bright Pasifika shirts, black skirts and traditional dress.