A former funeral worker in Auckland has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for a series of disturbing offenses involving the mishandling of human remains and defrauding grieving families.
Fiona Bakulich, 48, who previously worked for Tipene Funerals, pleaded guilty earlier this year to 14 charges—two for interfering with human remains and 12 for obtaining by deception. One of the charges of interference with remains was later withdrawn by the Crown at sentencing. She was also ordered to pay over $16,900 in reparations to her victims.
Bakulich’s misconduct came to light in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle when several caskets at Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden were damaged. Upon inspection, authorities found that the coffins had not been properly lined with zinc, a requirement for certain types of interment. In one instance, the deceased had been wrapped in plastic instead of receiving the required zinc lining, while another had no protective barrier other than clothing.
Between 2021 and 2024, Bakulich misled seven families into paying for COVID-19 treatments and immunisations for their deceased relatives—services that were never provided and were unnecessary. In another shocking case, she convinced a family member to pay for a fabricated injection to be administered to the genital area of a deceased person, again without medical justification or evidence that any procedure was performed.
She also falsely claimed the Ministry of Health required a $7,000 fee for allegedly breaching COVID-19 funeral protocols, extracting the money under false pretenses.
The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand distanced itself from Bakulich, confirming she was not employed by any of its member firms. The association emphasized that its members adhere to strict ethical and professional standards.
A separate case involving a 53-year-old funeral director, who has name suppression, is still before the court. He faces allegations of failing to properly line and seal a casket and obtaining over $18,000 through deception. His next court appearance is scheduled for June.
