Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The family of Michael Wahrlich, one of the victims of the Loafers Lodge fire, say they want his funeral to honour his life and dedication to the Wellington entertainment community.
Mike the Juggler, as he was known in the city, was confirmed to have died in the fire by police yesterday.
The Wahrlich family has released a statement through the police: "The family was devastated to hear that Michael's life was taken in this terrible tragedy.
"He always enjoyed entertaining the people of Wellington and will be sadly missed by the family and all who knew him."
His funeral will be open to the public.
Wilson Funeral Home director Nigel Rowland has met with Warhlich's family who want to acknowledge the role he played in Wellington's inner city.
"He has spent decades entertaining Wellingtonians as they walk by.
"[The family] find it very important to give everyone an opportunity to say their farewells."
Rowland expects it to be a large funeral.
"So where people are not able to be in the chapel as such, we do have a side room for extra people.
"If we do have the numbers I'm expecting, I would expect some people to be outside but we do have speakers out there as well."
Rowland said there will also be a livestream of the funeral on a tribute website.
The funeral will be held on Friday at 11am at the Wilson Funeral Home on Adelaide Road in Newtown.
Rowland said parking is limited at the venue and people wishing to attend might like to use public transport to get there.