Croak It!

'Colourful' Kiwi leaves quirky funeral instructions

Inside an envelope reading "Eeek! I've Carked It" a New Zealander described as "extremely colourful" has left final instructions for his family.

"I finally carked it after a lifetime of fun," Andy Nathan wrote.

"Time to celebrate! Men: Hawaiian shirt ... Ladies: painted toe nails please ... Don't be late!"

The 43-year-old, who appeared on Sale Of The Century in Australia and penned the book A History Of Now, died last week following diabetes-related complications.

Mr Nathan's sister, Vicki Hudson, says her brother's health had been on the decline for about six years.

"He knew that he wasn't going to have a long life and he wanted to make it easy for everybody," Ms Hudson told the New Zealand Herald.

Following his death, Mr Nathan's family found an envelope marked with a sad face baring crosses for eyes.

Mr Nathan included his own death notice, instructions for his funeral, how to inform his friends of his demise on Facebook and who should carry his coffin.

"He wants everybody to wear Hawaiian shirts," Ms Hudson said, adding that he only cut his blonde hair once a year - on his mother's birthday.

"He's always been extremely colourful."