New Zealand is being asked to observe two minutes of silence for the 29 men inside the Pike River coal mine.
The request comes from Prime Minister, John Key who would like the silence to be observed at 2pm when a memorial service for the men begins at Omoto racecourse, near Greymouth.
Twenty nine miners' helmets will be on 29 tables.
Up to 11,000 people are expected to attend and Radio New Zealand National will broadcast the service.
Among them will be Mr Key, the Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand and diplomats from Australia and the United States.
Messages of sympathy and support have been received from as far away as China and the Middle East.
