Casketeers’ Tipene Funerals: Woman arrested, charged with misconduct in respect of burials

A woman has been arrested and charged with misconduct in respect of burials following a Herald investigation into a former employee of Tipene Funerals, owned by Francis Tipene. Photo / Dean Purcell

The Herald’s earlier coverage of Fiona Bakulich’s offending stated “several” bodies were placed in bags instead of the coffins that had been paid for. The coverage has been amended to clarify that the Herald spoke to two families who claimed Bakulich placed their loved ones in bags within unlined coffins.

The Herald acknowledges Bakulich was only sentenced in relation to one charge of interfering with human remains in relation to one body. Amendments have also been made to clarify that Bakulich’s other offending related to fraudulent behaviour in connection with burials.

• Woman facing court over misconduct in respect of burials.
• It follows a Herald investigation into a former employee at Tipene Funerals.
• The woman will appear in court this Friday.

An Auckland woman has been arrested and now faces charges of misconduct in respect of human remains and obtaining by deception following a Herald investigation into a former employee of Tipene Funerals.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said a 48-year-old woman was arrested yesterday.

“The woman was arrested in Favona and has since been charged with misconduct in respect of human remains and nine counts of obtaining by deception,” Baldwin said.

She will appear in the Auckland District Court this Friday.

Baldwin said the arrest was a “significant development“ in the investigation.

“[We] hope this arrest brings some reassurance to those affected by this woman’s offending.

Bodies were interred at the public mausoleum at Waikumete Cemetery. Photo / Michael Craig

It follows an exclusive Herald investigation into claims the then-employee fleeced her grieving clients. Two families claimed she put their dead relatives in black plastic rubbish bags and did not put the required zinc lining in their caskets.

Some of the affected families found out when Cyclone Gabrielle forced the bodies to be disinterred from the public mausoleum at Waikumete Cemetery in West Auckland.

Baldwin said the police investigation would continue, and he could not rule out further charges.

Detective Inspector Baldwin has asked anyone with concerns about inappropriate or dishonest behaviour in relation to this case to call police on 105 and quote file number 240808/8008.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

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