(ROMANTIC, LILTING MUSIC) Nga kupu hauraro na Glenna Casalme www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2018 (RISING, FEEL-GOOD MUSIC) (BELL TOLLS) (CURIOUS STRING MUSIC) FRANCIS: The Batesville casket, the American-type casket, they range from about $4500 up to.... $6000, and then you get into the big, oversized ones with decorative handles and all of that. Maybe you should slide your nono down. OK. Like, go down that way. OK. (EXHALES) Goodness. Do I have to do everything for you? And give me your feet. Because then you'll end up wrecking it. (THUD!) Oh. Oh dear! Jeez! (CACKLES) (SIGHS) Oh gosh. You better lose some weight. Leave me alone. You just fit! I do get in the Batesville caskets to test them. People would think that's weird. But I... The work that I do is` you know, this is` apart from my wife and kids, this is my life. Honestly, dear, if you could fit in this, you will enjoy it. Is it actually quite comfortable? Mm! Is the pillow what it looks like? The pillow's great! Eh. I know what size casket I need to go in, with the shape-standard caskets, you know what I mean? So, um, although I would like to go a size down, hopefully soon, but... Does it feel like a bed? It does. That's why I'm saying you can` It feels really beautiful. And this pillow under my head,... Yeah? ...aue, it's neat. Can you just raise my head up a little bit? Without messing my hair. When Francis was trying the casket, in my head, I was thinking, 'Please don't break that casket. 'Uh, we don't have another one,' and, uh, 'How the hell are you gonna get your fat bum out?' Oh wow. My hair. Oh, sorry. Well, it's hard when you've got a fat head! Gosh. Is the tie straight? Yes. Have you had enough on there now? Yes, thank you. All right. I'm happy and satisfied, and I'm sure the client that'll lie in here will be happy too. (DELICATE, GLOWING MUSIC) (CURIOUS MUSIC) Nona is our Samoan queen, and she specialises in the Pacific Island funerals. Francis tends to say I give it the flare, but I think I deal with Polynesians because they have different kind of needs. Oh, no, not next to the men. Cos she might go to another man. (WOMEN GUFFAW) We just gotta keep her straight. Yeah-yah. (LAUGHTER) We love Nona. We absolutely... love Nona. (SIGHS) Yes. She's bossy. (TUTS) But... she knows what she's doing. No drinking and smoking on the premises, eh? (WOMEN AGREE, CHORTLE) She's a bit rough around the edges, but she bends over backwards for her families. (SOFT CONVERSATIONS) Today, with this funeral, the gentleman is Tongan, been in New Zealand for over 50 years, very loved father, and he died in hospital after a month of treatment. All right? Island people like to go with the big caskets because it gives them that big glare` or that big look of, 'Wow, look how beautiful that person looks in that nice, elegant, big casket.' (ROLLING, CAUTIOUS MUSIC) This church is so tiny that we will probably have to lift on the shoulders when we enter the church. Lenny, you know you guys are gonna be carrying up top, eh,... Yup. ...in here. So you'll probably want to match your heights. Yeah. So maybe the tallest will go, um, the feet. Feet. Tony. Yeah. So anyone that's` Yeah, probably those two there. What you wanna do is that when we go to lift up, you want to latch arms, so then you would` underneath there, you hold here so the casket holds here, right? Don't hold like this, because then the casket ends up like this. Once I give them the instructions, we should go well. Nice and slow. Nice and slow. You guys drop off until we come into here, eh? Second step now. Second step. First step for you two. Up. Up. Keep going. Keep going. you've got to have strong people there or else, you know, it can turn into a disaster. OK. Come down. Yeah. Right on. Yup. Good. (CHILD CRIES) (CONGREGATION HARMONISE, SING TONGAN HYMN) This service is gonna be quite short today. They said it's not gonna be more than an hour. (CONGREGATION CONTINUE SINGING) 'Be the first Tongan in history to have a service under an hour. (PENSIVE MUSIC) We have a family in that are from the same place as I am, in Pawarenga, and it's a tragic passing of a young mother. She had a seizure. Possibly the seizure came on after a heart attack, they think. And she's leaving behind four daughters ` four beautiful daughters. What cemetery is she` are we burying her? This family have requested a white casket for the young lady, and I've just taken them through to show them some options. Yes, come through. Yeah, no. Haere mai. Come through. (COUGHS) Come through. Guide your sister. Are you all right? Haere mai. Come through. Come through. Come around over here. Haere mai. (VERY GENTLY) Haere mai. (WHIMPERS, SOBS) Yeah, I know. You don't` You don't ever want to do that. (SIGHS) We have a package ` it's called the Tangihanga Package ` which is designed for families that leaving out of Auckland, and that includes everything, from the uplifting of the body, uh, within the Auckland region, a full embalming; um, it includes a standard-sized casket. So we know we've got that rimu there, and then we look at the white caskets here. The Imperial Couch casket is not part of that package; it is an upgrade ` a substantial upgrade. KAIORA: We've only just got this beautiful casket. You know, it's got lovely padding on the inside... and on the outside. It's the first time that we've brought this casket in. So we've got the package, or we can go with, um, you know, the white, for 1250. Or what about...? Francis often gives discounts. Mum wants` Well, I'm gonna go with what Mum wants. Brick white. Yeah. Mm. I've got... For the extra 1250 on top, I can get that, or the white one. The white one there, or... You reckon? Yeah? I'm giving the family the white Imperial Couch casket... at no extra cost. Really, Francis?! Did you just give that casket away? The sister took to that casket ` who was making the arrangements. She really liked it, and so (SIGHS) I had` uh, I've` I gave it to them. (CURIOUS MUSIC) 'Morning, team. I just wanted to say thank you for meeting real quickly. I know that we've got busy days, funerals and everything like that we've got happening. I just wanted to run over a few things before we move forward, and it's a good chance for you to let me know of any whakaaro, any thoughts, concerns you may have, yeah? I'm finding the biscuits in Fiona's cupboard. They are purchased for our families. When they come and make arrangements or when they're waiting, they have a cup of tea, hot chocolate, Milo ` and they've been going missing. What I'm saying right now is the biscuits ` please, let's just bring it back and bring it down. (GUFFAWS) Leave the biscuits to the families. (LAUGHS) Do I eat all the biscuits? No, I don't actually. Because the shopping was overloaded. So they had to put it in my cupboard. I've never touched it. (SQUEALS, LAUGHS) The full packet of biscuits need to be away in the cupboard, not in your drawer, dear. But it was so full there one time` (LAUGHS HYSTERICALLY) ...so they had to put it in there, with the water. Well, we need to get them out, cos we know where they're going. Oh my gosh! Bring it down. Aren't there biscuits down there too, eh? Yeah. I know. But just` They're for our families, cos` (CHORTLES) ...at 10 o'clock at night, when we need to do stuff, we just give them kaputi and biscuit while we do what we're doing at the back. Please. I do accuse Fiona a lot ` for stealing the biscuits. Um, but I found out that I need to... keep an eye on Logan as well. (PEOPLE SING TONGAN HYMN) (SINGING CONTINUES) The girl said that we're waiting for one family. I don't know. Uh, might be your husband, while we wait. Nona is brilliant at her funerals. I can always trust that she has everything under control. I'm not trying to be mean, but the two strongest first, eh? (MAN SPEAKS TONGAN) OK. So here's the board here. Down. Come down. Listen to Fiona. Come down. (MOURNERS CONTINUES SINGING HYMN) We thank you for the bonds that hold us together. Loving God, give us your wisdom. Tongans show more emotion. A lot of siblings who come and do their parent's funerals, they don't show emotion during the funeral process ` because they have to be strong, mentally and physically. (WOMAN WAILS) But when they get to the grave and they see this is the last resting place where their mum or dad, yeah, you will hear a lot of emotions. (WAILING, MOANING) Rose was the main contact for this funeral with her father. She had looked after Dad right up to the time he passed. So for her it was the physical sense of not being able see Dad any more. (WHIMPERS, SOBS) She said that's the time she wanted to grab on to Dad's casket and just hold it for few seconds. But then she knew that the aunties and stuff wouldn't agree with that because they say you've gotta let Dad go. (WAILS) Tongans always put 10 bags of sand in the ground with their loved ones. And basically that's just their way of saying, 'Oh, yeah, we want the soil and the sand to hold up strong.' And may the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us, now and forever more. Amen. Farewell, my brother. (POIGNANT PIANO MUSIC) (MUSIC ENDS) (PENSIVE MUSIC) It's not so hideous. WOMAN: Oh my God. You have the matches? (MATCH HISSES) (EXHALES) Just gets rid of the smell. Sometimes you get the toilets, they smell a little, and so... you just put the smoke, because I read it on Facebook. Um, if you light matches after the toilet, it gets rid of the smell. And so when our families go and have poos, it's just` it's quite distracting... trying to grieve and smelling poo at the same time. So I just go around, with some of this, just to get rid of the smell. Cos it comes through here. (LILTING, DELICATE MUSIC) You see the smoke? Dissipates the smell, so... that's good. I'll keep this packet for down the back, eh? (TENSE, CURIOUS MUSIC) (CLACK! CLICK!) (FOCUSED MUSIC) Hey. (HAMMER BANGS REPEATEDLY) Yeah? Um, Amelia's whanau are here. Mm-hm? Yup. (CONTINUES HAMMERING) Where's Nona? She's, um, on her way back. Oh, I thought I heard her car. No. Not yet. I'll ring and see` No, no, no, she's on her way. Yup, she... should be nearly here. So, that's that. Um,... I'm just gonna put this name plate on. Can you bring that white casket around, hon? Sure. The Imperial casket ` the casket that he wants to give away ` is not part of the Tangi package. If this business breaks, it's because of his ngakau. (CHUCKLES) He has so much love... for... anybody, really, that comes. And he will just, 'Aw! 'You want this one? 'Kei te pai. Anei.' Er, it's not the first time I've done that. Uh, it is selfish, in the bigger picture, in terms of the company... and it's growth, and financially ` not to mention my wife ` but, yes, it makes it easier for me to give it to them. So which side do we normally`? At the end with staple... That side. ...that side. So I'll come in here; I'll grab the staple. Ae. We've never had this casket before. So I have to figure out how to put the side set on it. Hold that side, e hoa. I'll just see what that looks like. Then I can staple it along. If we go... staple, staple, staple, along there... Is that right, e hoa? This side set is a hoha. Logan? Yeah? Can I just use you for a second? this is not working. Getting mangled. I'm beginning to think this casket is more trouble than it's worth. You saw my wife give me the fingers? Mm-hm. Yeah, she's a bit shitty. No, at me, because, um... Yeah. I am upset that Francis has given away this expensive casket. Oh, I think if you're around, it helps me. (TITTERS) You can help me, and you can` Cos she's` She won't be rude around you, but` Oh. Is it all finished? Um, no. We're waiting for a jacket, and... Yeah, we're not too sure how long` No, we need to have` 4.30, karakia. Put the jacket on up north. Yeah, that's fine. The typical business side of me is saying, 'This is just absolutely wrong.' You know? Cos we need to` That comes at an expense, and you can't just give it away,... OK. Off. Have a look. It's, um, colour` Oh wow! Yeah, don't pull it. Don't pull it? All right, then. ...but I am aware of why he did it. (GIGGLES) This whanau are from Pawarenga, where he's from. Isobelle, the deceased, has a beautiful wairua, and if there's anything that we can do for her, It's a form of koha; it's a form of aroha for them, so... I guess Francis and myself can cover that. (POIGNANT PIANO MUSIC) Haere mai, dear. (CURIOUS MUSIC) The cookie jar ` I come in this morning, it's about a quarter way filled. And on Tuesday, it was full. There's biscuits in there ` open biscuits. No, I'm not allowed to eat those biscuits, but I... I think, just to challenge myself or Francis, I'd go and open it. She says to me, 'Oh, now, I found a half a packet of biscuits in my office.' I said, 'Yes?' She goes, 'And it was Logan. 'And Logan ate the biscuits and only had half a packet, and he keeps blaming it on me.' Initially I thought she like the white shortbread, which were going missing a lot, but she changes, and it might be just to cover up the path of deceit that's happening between us all. So I said to Nona, 'Don't lie.' Am I not right? I'm right. I am right. The first time I'm right with biscuits. So somebody's lying about eating the biscuits. Eh, Nona? Stop saying it's me! Oh! Cos, you know, after a long day, mm, biscuits shouldn't be, really, a problem, when you've slaved your guts out the whole day. But never mind. We'll just leave the biscuit to raruraru. Cos we've got more important things to worry about, ne? (DELICATE, COMICAL MUSIC) (SOLEMN STRING MUSIC) KAIORA (GENTLY): I'm just gonna grab her hands. OK. Just take her shirt down as far as you can over my hands. Yep. All the way down. Bella has been dressed by my wife and the family, and it's time to place her in the Imperial Couch casket. How does she look? Are you OK with her presentation? Amazing. WOMAN: She's beautiful. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah? Beautiful. Done. Thanks so much. No problem. No problem. So now I just need about 10 minutes to place her in. That's fine. That's fine. One, two, three. SWEETLY: Haere mai. There we go. Beautiful. Bella looks absolutely beautiful in her casket. It's all right. Tokowha au tamariki, au kotiro. Ka noho mokemoke ki a koe. Ne ra? I have four boys, and I'm a mother. She has four girls, and I feel for her tamariki. Kare ana tama. Mm. Mm-hm. Te katoa nga kotiro. (LAUGHS) Well, you talk to the tuturu Pawarenga in there. Well, you might wanna give him of them your recipe, girlfriend, because he and I just have the boys. Ready? You notice something's a bit crooked? Isobelle, the deceased, died suddenly, and her loved ones just want the best send-off for her. (WOMAN CALLS OUT KARANGA) WOMAN: Hoki wairua mai ra, e. Haere mai. Haere mai. Haere mai. (GIRLS SOB, CRY) (GENTLE STRING MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) Francis has a good heart. He reads into families and sees what they need, and that uplifts them. She said her sister was a princess. I just gave it because I felt sorry for them and I felt that this girl was far too young and that she deserves to be` to go out like that. Mm. Aw. (TUTS) (SOLEMN STRING MUSIC) (ROLLER DOOR RATTLES LOUDLY) Oh, sorry. Look at this rude hua. (CHUCKLES) (DELICATE, CHEEKY MUSIC) I shouldn't eat the biscuits. I should practise what I preach. I should lead from the top. Oh, thank you. Oh, OK, e hoa. We good to go? But time and time again, I find myself in Fiona's shoes ` hungry, a monster, then the monster steals from the cookie jar. If he doesn't want Kaiora to know what he's eating, you know, in the morning, then, yeah, he hides it and says it's me. Yeah. That's the truth. Who's eating the biscuits now? (CACKLES, CLAPS REPEATEDLY) Sometimes I eat the biscuits. Nga kupu hauraro na Glenna Casalme Able 2018