Tipene Funerals investigation: Woman appears in Auckland District Court in relation to burials

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.

An Auckland funeral director accused of misconduct in relation to burials, including interference with human remains, is allowed to keep her name secret after her first court appearance.

The woman has also been accused of taking $15,002 by deception, court documents show.

Judge Stephen Bonnar granted interim name suppression for a week to allow for an appeal when she appeared in the Auckland District Court this morning.

She was remanded on bail without plea and will reappear in court on November 15.

The public mausoleum at Waikumete Cemetery. Photo / Michael Craig

The woman’s lawyer, Panama Le’au’anae, applied for name suppression. The Herald and Stuff opposed name suppression, and Judge Bonnar declined Le’au’anae’s application.

However, Judge Bonnar ordered suppression until 5pm next Wednesday to allow the woman to consult with her lawyer about possibly appealing the court’s decision.

The 48-year-old was arrested on Tuesday.

It follows an exclusive Herald investigation into claims an employee of Tipene Funerals deceived her grieving clients.

Tipene Funerals has its own reality television show, The Casketeers, in which the former employee featured.

The public mausoleum at Waikumete Cemetery. Photo / Michael Craig

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said: “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 the arrest was a “significant development” in the investigation.

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

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

Police have been investigating concerns about burials at Waikumete Cemetery since August.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton, of the police’s Auckland City Financial Crime Unit, confirmed at the time that they had received two reports of fraud. However, Bolton said there was “insufficient evidence” to proceed with the complaints.

The case was then reopened and picked up by the Auckland City Criminal Investigation Branch.

Funeral director Francis Tipene, of Tipene Funerals, Onehunga. Photo / Dean Purcell

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.

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