The Casketeers Season 2 Episode 4 Episode 4
- June 21, 2019
The Casketeers is a popular reality television show that focuses on the daily operations of family-run funeral home, Tipene Funerals in Auckland, New Zealand. Season 2, Episode 4 of the show is titled "Episode 4" and it continues to follow the lives of Francis and Kaiora Tipene and their team as they work to support families who have lost loved ones.
The episode starts with Kaiora heading off to a local marae to discuss a funeral for the Tangaroa whanau. The family has requested a traditional Māori send-off and the team at Tipene Funerals is determined to make this happen for them. As the preparations for the Tangaroa whanau’s funeral begin, Francis and Kaiora’s nephew, Te Omeka, is tasked with decorating the hearse with flowers.
Meanwhile, Francis is busy dealing with another family. The Hagaman whanau has requested a very specific type of coffin for their loved one and Francis is determined to make it happen. However, there are a few roadblocks on the way, including sourcing the right timber and finding the right builder to create the unique design.
As the team works tirelessly to ensure everything is perfect for the funerals, tensions begin to rise between Francis and the staff. With his usual attention to detail, Francis is determined to lead his team, but it’s clear that they’re struggling under the pressure. With the funeral of the Tangaroa whanau fast approaching, Kaiora steps in to try and diffuse the situation and get everyone working together.
In between the funerals, the Tipene family reflects on their own experiences with death and dying. They discuss everything from their own mortality to the importance of communicating with loved ones about what they want from their own funeral. These moments of introspection provide some much-needed perspective on the difficult work they do every day.
As the Tangaroa whanau’s funeral approaches, the family begins to arrive at the marae, and it’s clear just how much they mean to each other. Watching them come together to honor their loved one with open hearts and tears in their eyes, we’re reminded of the beauty and fragility of life.
Overall, Season 2, Episode 4 of The Casketeers is a poignant and emotional exploration of death and dying. While the team at Tipene Funerals works to provide the best possible service for the families they support, we’re reminded that these moments are about so much more than just the logistics of a funeral. Through their work, Francis and Kaiora Tipene and their team create a space for people to grieve, heal, and come together as a community.