Former Tipene Funerals employee Fiona Bakulich named as Auckland undertaker accused of misconduct in relation to burials, featured on The Casketeers TV show
Fiona Bakulich can now be named as the ex-Tipene Funerals undertaker before the court on allegations of misconduct in relation to burials. Photo / Michael Craig
Fiona Bakulich can now be named as the ex-Tipene Funerals undertaker before the court on allegations of misconduct in relation to burials. Photo / Michael Craig
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.
Fiona Bakulich can now be named as the ex-Tipene Funerals undertaker before the court on charges of misconduct relating to burials and duping the clients out of extra cash payments.
Bakulich, who also featured in Tipene Funerals’ reality television show The Casketeers, is also accused of taking $15,002 by deception.
Bakulich appeared in the Auckland District Court for the first time last Friday. Her lawyer Panama Le’au’anae applied for name suppression, but after opposition from the Herald and Stuff, Judge Stephen Bonnar declined the application.
Judge Bonnar allowed Bakulich and her lawyer until 5pm today to file an appeal against his decision to decline name suppression. The High Court confirmed to the Herald it had not received any notice of appeal.
Le’au’anae also confirmed to the Herald his client had decided against filing an appeal.
Bakulich will appear in court again, on nine charges of obtaining by deception and another charge of misconduct with human remains, on November 15.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of police’s Auckland City Criminal Investigation Branch, called her arrest “a significant development” in the investigation into her alleged offending.
Fiona Bakulich (left) with Francis and Kaiora Tipene in a promotional image for TV show The Casketeers.
Baldwin said the police investigation would continue, and he could not rule out further charges.
After Bakulich’s first appearance, families affected by her alleged misconduct told the Herald they were pleased she had been arrested and put before the court, but felt they had been left in the dark by Tipene Funerals.
One woman claiming to have been impacted by Bakulich’s alleged offending told the Herald, “I still honestly believe Tipene have some responsibility.”
She said: “They seem to be blaming it all on Fiona.”Tipene Funerals director Francis Tipene has encouraged anyone with concerns about their former employee to report it to police.
He said his former employee worked for Tipene Funerals as a funeral director for seven years.
“And in doing so, a huge amount of trust was placed in her, both by Tipene Funerals, myself as director and the families she was taking care of,” Tipene said.
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.
