About this season
Francis and Kaiora Tipene are the passionate proprietors of Tipene Funerals. This is a unique opportunity to look behind the scenes of their business and into this little-explored but vital service, where our culture's last taboo is being addressed with dignity and aroha.
Episodes (8)
1. Courage has many resting places
Aired 5 January 2020 • 23 min
Francis and Kaiora juggle the newest member of their team as they care for a well loved sportsman who dies suddenly and a brave father arranging his own funeral. He maimai aroha tenei ki a Kori Warren Karena rāua ko Mario Silvio Dunatov.
2. Words can't express how much I love you
Aired 12 January 2020 • 23 min
Francis plans his biggest surprise yet for Kaiora to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Meanwhile, Kaiora arranges a special funeral with a procession of Harleys. He maimai aroha tenei ki a Judith Anne Blundell rāua ko Joshua Thane Duprie Waipouri.
3. Farewell to you, I shall return home
Aired 19 January 2020 • 23 min
Francis and Kaiora take a road trip to his home marae and we are gifted a rare glimpse of the three day tangihanga process, as his dear Aunty is laid to rest. He maimai aroha tenei ki a Kiritokia "Chrissie" Mitchell.
4. A white heron of a single flight
Aired 26 January 2020 • 23 min
Kaiora is confronted by a very special case and a Returned Serviceman receives a gun salute at his funeral. Meanwhile, Francis is obsessed with the chapel reaching new heights of perfection. He maimai aroha tenei ki a Isaac Mataatua Rakanui rāua ko Michael John Andzue.
5. A person of great endurance
Aired 2 February 2020 • 23 min
Nona convinces the staff to try zumba for a good cause. An elderly woman delays her own funeral and Francis is surprised by a glamorous family breaking traditions on the marae. He maimai aroha tenei ki a Ivy May Gibbs rāua ko Anaru Harley Young.
6. Every star has its own luminance
Aired 9 February 2020 • 23 min
Francis grapples with who is his number one amongst the staff. A loved mother passes away at home and one of Francis' cousins says goodbye to the neighbour who raised her as her own. He maimai aroha tenei ki a Elizabeth "Betty" Anne Southey rāua ko Kay Daisy Greaves.
7. People are precious
Aired 16 February 2020 • 23 min
Nona farewells a close family member and the youngest daughter of ten organises her father's funeral. Meanwhile, Francis goes to great lengths to tidy the office. He maimai aroha tenei ki a Malua-Tai Lei Filimaua rāua ko Reginald Paul Perepe-Perana.
8. Man is not like the weathered branch of the tītoki, he lives on through his descendents
Aired 23 February 2020 • 23 min
Francis tries to introduce healthy work practices, but gets in way over his head. A woman returns home to one of the most sacred mountains in Māoridom and Denise helps a family farewell their beloved father. He maimai aroha tenei ki a Tapolene Matagi rāua ko June Ngaia Chaplin.