Captions by Kristin Williams. Edited by Antony Vlug. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2019 (CURIOUS MUSIC) (BELL TOLLS) (SNEAKY MUSIC) Nona? Yeah. Where's Fehi? She's out the back, I think. They're all hiding from you. (SIGHS) Let me have a look on my cameras. I love my security cameras very much. (SNEAKY MUSIC CONTINUES) Oh, she's in the chapel. Sorry. I love the security cameras because they enable me to see what's happening. I do feel like a spy sometimes, but I never really growl people for things that they have done wrong. Has he cleaned the car yet? No. ADAMANTLY: He's a spy. Yeah, he is. Francis loves to spy. He spies on us all the time. All the time! (CELL PHONE RINGS) Dear, can you take a message? Yeah. Tipene Funerals. Can I help you? One of the great things about the security cameras ` or I call it a blessing ` is that I can check... on my cell phone. So I don't have to be here. I can be at a service or... at home and switch on the cell phone, and there they are. I can see everything. (SNEAKY MUSIC CONTINUES) The only place he don't have a camera is in the toilet. Thank you, Jesus. (CURIOUS MUSIC) (ANGELIC HARP MUSIC) (STAPLE GUN CLICKS) Today in our care we have Mrs Telesia Ale. Mrs Ale is a 79-year-old Samoan lady. She had breast cancer for 10 years, bowel cancer for the last six months. And, ultimately, um,... she had bronchopneumonia in her final days, so... it would've been tough. I'm about to casketise, and Fehi is coming in to assist me as she will assist me on the funeral day as well. Dear, what we're gonna do is we'll do this very carefully... Mm-hm. cos of her beautiful beads that are on her dress, eh? Yep. So we'll just go gently together. In the Samoan culture or the Pacific Island cultures, it's very normal for, uh, their loved ones to be dressed in beautiful white wedding dresses that either they've worn or someone in their family's worn, but today, Mrs Ale's dress that she's wearing is exceptionally beautiful. So, what we're going to do, dear, is if you can take her legs and the bottom of her dress, the train, and angle it over towards the casket, dear. If you take her all over together, yeah? Just tuck it all under. So just swing her legs across... as you go. Very good. OK. And then you carry on with her legs. Come around. Yeah. And as you bring her down I'm going to lift her, OK, dear? Yeah. Now, here we go, Mrs Ale. Together. Nice and gentle now. Beauty. OK. Beautiful. What I've found with Fehi is that I can actually trust her eye, and she's pretty good. She's more off on to this side. She's one of those ones that are not shy to tell you if something is off, crooked. And that's exactly what you need. There's no point being quiet if something looks hideous. Tell us! And she is good at that. (SLOW, ETHEREAL MUSIC) See the earring, eh? There you go. Although Fehi is the one that wears the bright and beautiful lipsticks around, I'm a little better at placing it on. So, you see how the inner lip there...? Mm-hm. So the beautiful thing about the brush is that we can get right in there. Cos when we just use this lipstick like that, you can't actually get in there... Yeah. ...unless you're alive. Then you can manoeuvre your lips accordingly. But when you're... when you're dead, you need to be able to use the brush to get in there. There's a lot to teach Fehi, and that's OK, cos anyone new, there's a lot to teach them too. They look beautiful. They do. You did a fantastic job. You and I, we're going places. (BIRDS CHIRP) Hi. So we've arrived at the house of Mrs Ale, and what we're gonna do now is take her inside, uh, where she'll lay here for three days. (GRACEFUL PIANO MUSIC) We leave this here with you, the net, so at the night-time, you just put it over her face to keep her` yeah? And, um, but we come over every other day just to check her and make sure she's OK with some moisturizer and everything like that, eh? (GRACEFUL, PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES) (KITCHEN POTS TAP) Out the back, the family have a big marquee put up with a make-do kitchen, uh,... ready to feed the multitudes, and they've got it all sussed. They have, indeed. * Fehi. Let's go, dear. Today, we have the final funeral service for Mrs Telesia Ale. (CHUCKLES) OK, dear. So what we need to do is before we go, we're gonna do our checklist. So... Mm-hm. Um... Do you know ` cos I've been away in the weekend ` booking confirmation? Did you check that? OK. What I'm gonna do is I'm gonna go through it. Now... Yeah. ...you're assisting today, but in the future when you become a funeral director, these are some of the things you're gonna go through. Hopefully Fiona already does these things... In my sleep. So if you could` (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) If you could do it in your sleep, that's good. So, what we... This morning with Mrs Ale's funeral, I have Fehi. I haven't had her assist me before, uh, so this is new, um... and a little bit exciting and a little bit... nerve-racking cos... I want this to be, you know, really good and perfect. So today all you're gonna do is just be assisting. You know, you're there, but you're not there. Mh-hm. Uh, but when I need you, you come to the front. Yeah. I know you're shy, but you fake it till you make it, dear. Head up, walk down the middle like it's your catwalk, OK? (SCOFFS) Let's do it. Mrs Ale is having a requiem mass today so we need to be on time. (MOURNERS SING IN SAMOAN) We're gonna have a nice slow walk. Come around this way. Yeah. Come over here. Ordinarily, a requiem mass lasts for about an hour and 15 to an hour and a half, but, uh,... a requiem Samoan mass could possibly go on a little bit longer. (MOURNERS FINISH SINGING) Looking at that casket from back here, it looks amazing. It looks amazing. It is. I saw your little hand signal to tell me it was crooked. Fantastic! It was lovely. Mrs Ale was a devout Catholic, and so her feet will be placed facing the alter. And the priest has said that the reason for doing that is that God will take you at your lowest point. (CHURCH CHOIR HYMN) It's time for us to take Mrs Ale to the Mangere Lawn Cemetery, and it is raining. Walk up. Bring it closer, eh? I have my gumboots, and Fehi has hers too. You've gotta be prepared for all kinds of weather. Yeah. Over here, dear. Right here? The further away you are,... Yeah? ...the less it'll work. Oh, OK. Fehi's first job is to sort the sound system, to get it up and running ready for the priest, so that everyone can hear the priest as he has his final prayers. One, two, check. One, two... It's important that we are there to lead and instruct and help our pall-bearers cos it's very slippery. A lot of them haven't worn gumboots or shoes that are ideal for mud. So we're just gonna help them through as they walk along the cemetery. (SOMBRE MUSIC) Just take your time. Take your time. Yeah. (MOURNERS SING) Just take your time. Today's service went beautifully. (PRIEST PRAYS IN SAMOAN) And I'm so proud of Fehi, and she was a great assistant for me. And I can see her doing well for herself when she is funeral directing in the future. (PLAYFUL MUSIC) (BRIGHT MUSIC) Now, can you see up there? One, two, three, four, five, six, seven ` eight cameras. Eight cameras, yeah. Eight cameras. Yeah. Eight cameras. So,... um, it's quite neat. And so on my phone ` it's quite flash, this system ` I can see what's happening here like this. On your phone. Yeah, yeah. Mm-hm. On the phone. Have you seen this before? Yeah, yeah. Oh, you have? It's not new. Yeah, yeah. (CHUCKLES) Today we're having more security cameras installed in the new family lounge upstairs. So, we're wanting to add` I think I've only just said four cameras for now. Four. Extra four, yeah. Um, but we're wanting to know if you're able to add it to the current eight... Yeah. ...if possible. And I don't mind getting a new machine, but the thing is, um,... Rob, those... The quality of it is really good. Yeah. Is yours the same quality? Yeah. It would be better, yeah. Look, I can even see` See, that's Vanessa. Would be better? Oh, OK. You can see her wrinkles. My wife wants four cameras, but I think we need more. So over here we can see from here down that way,... Back way. ...but I can't see over there. Oh, yeah. So we're wanting to put it on the other side there. I was gonna say put another one there, because families are not allowed to park there. Yeah. It's the neighbour's, so it's good for me to see. I need an extra camera outside, leftwards facing, just to make sure that families aren't parking where they shouldn't be ` and also our staff. Sometimes they just park the hearses up wherever they want to and need to. So, yeah, it's just to keep an eye on everything. This is Kaiora and mine's office. Mine and my wife's office. So... See this TV, I would like ` you know how we've go the little one out there? ` Yeah, little one. ...for the system to be in here. Right. So, um,... So you can see? That's right. Is that doable, Rob? On that screen there. Yes, so, where is the system? Just behind here? Just behind this wall here. Uh, easy, yeah, easy. We can just... There is a security camera in the new staff office as well. But there's no security camera in Fiona's office. I bet you if I was to put one in there, all hell would break loose around here. So, um,... I've gotta fight my battles. (PLAYFUL MUSIC) # How sweet, how sweet is the Heaven. # There'll be no more tears to cry... Today in our care we have a young 20-year-old, Kuila Tuivoavoa. # How sweet, how sweet is... CRYING FEMALE: Oh God. # ...the Heaven. # There'll be no more tears to cry. (WEEPS) Kuila passed away due to leukaemia, which she had for only 11 months, so it's a very sudden and sad death for everyone involved. # There'll be no more tears to cry. # (SOBS) ...family and friends. So, if I may ask, please, for those, especially our young ones, if we can grab some flowers and the photos. And then we'll walk all out together after we've placed the lid on, OK? (MOURNERS SING) Young Kuila was a performer. In fact, she was with a performing arts group. And so, you know, I'm a little excited, to be honest, cos I know being of Fijian descent and religious as well,... there's gonna be a lot of wairua here. (MOURNERS CONTINUE TO SING) Nice. (KAPAHAKA GROUP PERFORMS FAREWELL) A, hei runga, hei raro! ALL: Hi ha, hi ha! Hei runga, hei raro! Hi ha, hi ha! A ha toia mai! Te waka! Kumea mai! Te waka! Ki te urunga! As I'm preparing the mat, and Scottie's leading Kuila down to the hearse, we've got a kapa haka group bringing her out and giving her a little, uh,... I guess, poroporoaki from her home. ALL: Hi ha! A, hei runga, hei raro. In Fijian culture, it's custom to always ensure that loved ones rest on a mat. It's similar to a korowai in Maori culture that we place over a casket to show our respect. Today,... Kuila has both. (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) ('VOILA' BY N.E.R.D. ft. GUCCI MANE & WALE) # They think I'm magician # Voila, voila # They think I know magic # Voila, voila # They think I go, "Abracadabra" # Leave me, come back in something different # Oh, mamma, voila, voila # You are a magician # Voila, voila # You can make it happen # Voila, voila # They think I go, "Abracadabra" # Leave me, come back as something different... # * (UPLIFTING PIANO MUSIC) We've just arrive at the Church Unlimited in Glendene for Kuila's final funeral service. (MOURNERS SING) Today is gonna be a multicultural affair. It's going to be a massive show for Kuila. She had friends from every culture and ethnicity you could ever imagine that was present there, supporting. Today just sitting down and watching everyone speak,... it's kind of confusing. You don't know whether she's Maori... (MOURNERS LAUGH) ...and then she's Fijian... (MOURNERS LAUGH) I see a lot of Tongans in here as well. (MOURNERS LAUGH) (LAUGHS) Kuila was kind, unique, outspoken, accepting, and she had a massive personality, but the most massive part about our sister was her bright and never-ending smile. Because she was so young and full of life, energetic, and I think the attitude in which she carried from when she was diagnosed was just positive. You know, just battling forward, moving forward, and not holding back. And I think, uh,... that has come out in terms of everyone appreciating that at her funeral. Kia rite! Kia rite! (YELLS) Kia mau! KAPA HAKA GROUP: Hii! Tika tonu! U-e! Tika tonu! U-e! Tika tonu atu ki a koe, e tama. Hiki nei koe aku whakaaro, pakia! He hiki aha to hiki? He hiki aha to hiki? I a ha ha! E tama, te uaua ana, e tama, te maro, roa ina hoki ra te tohe o te uaua na e tau nei. Ana! Ana! Ana! Aue! Hii! (ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND MAORI VOCALS) # Te Hokinga Mai # te ngakau... # Kuila's final resting place is in the chapel view area of the Waikumete Cemetery. This is going to be a reopen grave, because Kuila's going to be buried with her grandfather who died a year ago. Kuila is smiling, watching us today, because the Bible says that the spirit lives on. Kuila, take the lead. We will follow you. # Te Hokinga Mai, # Tu tangata tonu. # The sun has come out and so we say, 'Kua whiti mai nga hihi a Tama Nui Te Ra ki runga ki a Kuila.' (SNEAKY MUSIC) E hoa? Scottie? Yeah. So we've got flowers, service sheets... Anything else? Flowers, service sheets... No. Good. Everything's done. Oh. Everything else is done. Well, we got a bit of time on our hands. Yeah. This morning, my wife is assisting Scottie with a funeral, and so I'm taking care of the children, but I also have an opportunity to have a look on the security cameras on my cell phone. I see Kaiora and Scottie organising things. Um... I see them going back and forth. Service sheets. I see, uh,... them talking quite a bit. Um, and then I've come up with something that I think would... be beneficial to the ceremony at the church. Cherie and them should have that done... (CELL PHONE RINGS) in less than two hours before... two and a half hours before. Cos then the only thing is that` KAIORA ON PHONE: Hi, darling. (SPEAKS INDSTINCTLY) Yeah. Um... I'll check with Scottie. You want... Can you see me? He's watching us on the camera. He's spying. It does have cover on it. This is the big one. This is a really big trolley. So he rings and he goes, 'Oh, look, have you got a trolley?' (CHUCKLES) And I'm going, 'OK,... I'll give you a bit of attention.' Oh, yes. I see it. No problem. Have you got a chapel trolley? Yes, it's in the car. Oh, there we go. It's already. OK, then, hon. Is he spying? WHISPERS: He is. All right. OK. Bye. Tell him to... (SCOFFS) I'm gonna text him. (SCOFFS) My life! (SIGHS) Such a nuisance ` those damn security cameras. They don't appreciate my intervention. I` I did see... once she hung up on me, she looked at Scottie, he looked at her, and then I` cos I can't hear,... which really ticks me off. I can't hear through the cameras; you can only see. But I'm... pretty good at lip-reading now, and I heard` probably saw some F-bombs coming out of his mouth towards me. And then I saw the trolley go into the hearse. HAPPILY: Perfect! Big Brother, man, I tell you. He must be so bored. Bloody nuisance. (LAUGHS) I am a spy. But` But an` you know, um, a, a good one. Um, friendly one. Hmm.