Francis and Kaiora Tipene speak to the Herald about fans, fame and funerals. Video/Michael Craig
Francis Tipene turned to his wife Kaiora on Saturday night while watching himself on The Casketeers and asked her if he really was that extreme about cleaning.
She laughed and told him he was OTT (over the top).
But then quickly added it wasn't a bad thing as they prided themselves on keeping things clean, so it was good people saw that.
It's the laughter and honesty they have brought to quite a morbid industry that appears to have struck a chord with TV One viewers who watched the first of six episodes about the funeral home.
Francis and Kaiora Tipene of Tipene Funerals have been inundated with requests and feedback since new reality TV show The Casketeers aired at the weekend. Photo / Michael Craig
The Tipene Funerals team only saw the show for the first time when it aired at 7pm on Saturday night, but said there were no surprises as everything they said to the cameras they already say to each other.
The Tipenes, both aged 33, who run Tipene Funerals in Onehunga and Henderson, have been inundated with calls from friends, family, fans and potential customers within minutes of the credits rolling.
"The phones have been running hot with enquiries and people saying how much they enjoyed it and just saying hello. I honestly didn't think it would be as big as it was," Francis said.
The cast of The Casketeeers. The laughter and honesty the first episode brings to a quite morbid industry appears to have struck a chord with viewers. Photo / Supplied
Already someone has put in their will that they want to use Tipene Funerals when they die and one of the funeral directors also on the show, Fiona Bakulich, met with a family on Sunday to pre-arrange a funeral.
The couple had their first taste of stardom on Sunday afternoon when they went for lunch at their local Good Home in Onehunga and noticed people doing double takes and looking at them.
"We always go there to eat and now it's a little bit different," Francis said.
Kaiora then nipped into Baby Factory to grab a present and noticed a young couple staring at her at while she waited at the checkout.
The woman then approached her to tell her the show was brilliant and to say they appreciated people like them in the industry.
Along with potential new business and calls from people just saying hi, they were also genuinely grateful for the numerous tips they have received on the best way to remove chewing gum from the concrete after seeing Francis and another staff member debate the best way.
Tipene Funerals director Francis Tipene said all the joking and laughter was about themselves and he hoped the upcoming episodes would show the serious side of the business. Photo / Dean Purcell
Kaiora said it had been a bit overwhelming since the first episode had aired.
"We were a bit nervous at first because we are mindful that there's a certain group out there that still finds death a real morbid subject to talk about," she said.
Francis said all the joking and laughter was about themselves and hoped the upcoming episodes would show the serious side of the business.
"People have texted us and called us to let us know it was not what they expected and they thoroughly enjoyed the humour," he said.
"I wanted to make sure it wasn't like a circus show because it's such a delicate topic and we are dealing with death, but we were laughing about ourselves, not the deceased in any way. We always joke about ourselves.
"I was afraid it would come off like we joke around too much. I do want to show the actual seriousness and the beauty of a funeral and how it can help celebrate someone's lives and help a family with their grieving."
He said there was quite a bit of filming, so expected that to feature in future episodes.
