Second funeral director charged in cemetery probe amid bodies mishandling claims

Police arrest and charge another funeral director as part of an investigation into the inappropriate handling of burials at a cemetery in Auckland.

Friday's arrest is the second such case as authorities look into complaints about the way bodies are managed before being buried.

Concerns arose after some bodies were exhumed following flooding at Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden in early 2023.

Police say the first arrest in Operation Lola was made in October 2024.

Fiona Bakulich, a former employee of Tipene Funerals in South Auckland, recently admitted to charges of mishandling human remains. The 48-year-old also pleaded guilty to 12 counts of obtaining by deception.

These charges are related to the bodies disinterred at Waikumete Cemetery during the 2023 flooding. Bakulich is scheduled to be sentenced in April.

Police say they are also investigating allegations of fraud associated with these incidents.

The man arrested on Friday faces charges of unlawfully obtaining money.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin says the investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be brought.

Fiona Bakulich, a former employee of Tipene Funerals in South Auckland, has pleaded guilty to interfering with human remains and 12 counts of obtaining by deception. Photo/RNZ/Lucy Xia

He says investigators are focussed on claims of improper treatment of "loved ones' remains" at the mausoleum of the cemetery.

“Today [Friday], we have charged an Auckland-based man with obtains by deception over $1000."

He says investigators are also working through complex issues and are urging families who might have been affected or have concerns regarding this matter to come forward.

Anyone concerned can contact 105 using the reference number 240808/8008 or Operation Lola.

The man arrested on Friday is expected to appear in Auckland District Court on 20 March.

Meanwhile, Kaiora and Francis Tipene, directors of Tipene Funerals, say the latest arrest of an Auckland funeral director as part of Operation Lola is "not us".

In a social media post, the Tipenes say the arrest is not from their firm but that their thoughts are with those involved.

This story has been updated to include comments from Tipene Funerals.