Trial Date Set for Former Funeral Director Accused of Improper Handling of Human Remains

A trial date has been set for a former funeral director, whose name has been suppressed, accused of improper handling of human remains at Waikumete Cemetery. The accused appeared in court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The pre-trial hearing, which will address the name suppression and other legal matters, is scheduled for 25 November 2025.

The court has ordered that all pre-trial applications must be filed by 3 November, with responses due by 17 November. A five-day jury trial is expected to begin on 8 June 2026. In the meantime, bail for the defendant and name suppression for the complainants will remain in effect until the November hearing.

Waikumete Cemetery, the largest cemetery in New Zealand and one of 53 managed by the Auckland Council, has been the site of previous legal issues involving the funeral industry. This includes the case of Fiona Bakulich, a former funeral director who was arrested in October 2024 as part of Operation Lola. Bakulich was sentenced in April 2025, marking another chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of cemetery operations in the region.

This case underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in the management of human remains, particularly in public cemeteries where the public interest is at stake. As the legal process unfolds, it is expected that these proceedings will provide further insight into the operations and oversight of Waikumete Cemetery.