Pacific families are vulnerable under current funeral rules, says industry leader

The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ) is calling for more transparent standards for pricing and standards after further details of a former funeral director's misconduct were revealed.

Their concerns follow Francis and Kaiora Tipene’s interview on Marae, which revealed further details about the misconduct of their former Tipene Funerals Director, Fiona Bakulich.

Bakulich pleaded guilty to two charges of interfering with human remains and 12 charges of obtaining by deception in February.

She pocketed tens of thousands of dollars in cash after defrauding multiple families with reasons such as extra vaccinations and casket liners.

Andrew Malcolm, the President of FDANZ, says member firms are required to provide detailed written estimates for requests for additional payments.

“The Tipenes are not members of the Association, so we don’t know what kind of estimate and invoicing system they used,” Malcolm says in a statement.

“However, if there isn’t transparency about price, this does create a risk of deceptive behaviour, and very sadly, that’s what we’ve seen take place in this case.”

A role of FDANZ is to ensure that funeral homes follow high standards.

According to the 2023 New Zealand Funeral Industry Trends Report, 37 per cent of WINZ Funeral Grant claimants identified as Pacific.

Watch the Tipenes' full interview with Marae below.

The average grant is $2091.61 with a maximum of $2616.12, which is only available to those who meet income and asset testing limits.

For over 20 years, Malcolm says the FDANZ has campaigned to increase the grant amount, noting the disproportionate harm to vulnerable New Zealanders, particularly Pacific people.

Although the cost of the average Pacific funeral is not reported, Just Funerals, a family-owned and operated funeral home in Auckland, offers packages for Pacific families starting at just under $9000.

Andrew Malcolm and his wife Merryn set up Kapiti Coast Funeral Home in 1992. Photo/FDANZ

The ‘Pasifika Burial Service’ package, priced at $10,900, offers 11 services, including the initial transfer of the deceased, standard-size embalming, an American-style casket, and one death certificate.

Malcolm says the FDANZ’s role is to ensure its members uphold the standard, which includes ensuring that families use a firm which belongs to a professional body.

Currently, the only Pacific funeral home registered with FDANZ is Ese Tatupu Funeral Directors in Auckland.

According to Just Funerals funeral home, the Pasifika Funeral Services have been formed in consultation with the community and their general needs. Photo/Just Funerals

“I think people forget funeral homes are all private businesses and running a business is tough,” Malcolm says.

“A big reason funeral homes join our association is for the support we can provide, particularly if things go wrong.

“We are certainly seeing an increase in enquiries about membership, and with that, we hope for better outcomes for New Zealanders.

“No families should have to suffer the emotional devastation these families went through," he says.