The Casketeers

5.2
201823m

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.

Production

Logo for Great Southern Television

Seasons

6 Episodes • Premiered 2018

Māori funeral directors Francis and Kaiora Tipene and staff temper good humor with care and respect as they help Polynesian families cope with loss.

Still image for The Casketeers season 1 episode 1: Tears of the people, like rain from the heavens

1. Tears of the people, like rain from the heavens

Francis and Kaiora Tipene are the passionate proprietors of Tipene Funerals. Go behind the scenes of their business, where our culture's last taboo is addressed with dignity and aroha. He maimai aroha tēnei ki a Kiritokia ete Tomairangi Paki.

Still image for The Casketeers season 1 episode 2: Although it is small, it is precious

2. Although it is small, it is precious

A beloved composer and teacher returns from Australia for burial at home in Aotearoa, and Francis struggles to let go of the reins when his newest Funeral Director leads a funeral on her own. He maimai aroha tēnei ki a Sonny Abraham rāua ko Charlotte Ruka.

Still image for The Casketeers season 1 episode 3: People pass away, but the land remains forever

3. People pass away, but the land remains forever

While Francis' right hand woman Fiona is busy with an emotional Tongan funeral, Francis fumes over missing biscuits and upsets his wife Kaiora with an unwise business decision. He maimai aroha tēnei ki a Tevita Kilogram rāua ko Isobelle Ihaka.

Still image for The Casketeers season 1 episode 4: My young tōtara has been broken

4. My young tōtara has been broken

A close member of the Tipene whanau passes away and Francis is tasked with organising the tangi. Elsewhere a young mother is tragically taken, and her grieving family want to spend one last night with her. He maimai aroha tēnei ki a Aunty Kataraina Kanara rāua ko Chozyn Koroheke.

Still image for The Casketeers season 1 episode 5: Farewell oh son, the morning tide is yours, the evening tide is mine

5. Farewell oh son, the morning tide is yours, the evening tide is mine

The team prepare to send a Niuean fisherman back to his homeland, while struggling with a very busy day at the office. Elsewhere, Francis attempts to get his health back on track. He maimai aroha tēnei ki a Zion Harris-Davis rāua ko Sisikefu Fusiika Sisikefu

Still image for The Casketeers season 1 episode 6: Be it small, it is an act of generosity

6. Be it small, it is an act of generosity

Funeral directory Fiona oversees a Samoan burial, and the Tipene family prepares a funeral for a young extended family member. As advertising for their funeral home, Francis wants the staff to put on a show for the local rest home. He maimai aroha tenei ki a Eden Tipene rāua ko Lili Ilo Puletua.

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Reviews

S

SierraKiloBravo

6/10

Review of seasons 1 and 2

Click here for a video version of this review: https://youtu.be/CO0lUTNUUlY

So, watching TV shows about funerals is not my usual fare, but adding a New Zealand twist is enough to catch my interest. _The Casketeers_ has two seasons on Netflix, and follows the staff of Tipene Funerals, based in Auckland, New Zealand.

_Passionate proprietors Francis and Kaiora Tipene offer a unique insight into Tipene Funerals, where the taboo of death is addressed with dignity and aroha._ 

Aroha is the Maori word for love and there is very much a lot of aroha on display in this series. The care that the staff and management take with their clients is wonderful to watch, and the interactions between them as a team are at times hilarious, and at others, downright sweet. Peppered all the way through it is some great Kiwi humour and cheekiness and its a pretty neat show overall.

Both seasons are of the same quality and its balance of sad parts and humour made them both a pleasure to watch. I think this is a bit of a hidden gem in the Netflix catalogue, and well worth tracking down.

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