Celebrating and honouring life
Every life makes a dynamic imprint on our hearts, and the world.
Hi, I’m Annalise.
I am deeply humbled to be a Funeral and Life Memorial Celebrant, supporting all faiths, and none. It’s a profound responsibility that I perform with deep care, love and sensitivity.
I’ve lost many people close to me, and I understand how devastating death can be. Saying farewell to a loved one in a manner that’s authentic to them is an important part of the grief process.
By working with me, we can co-create a unique ceremony that beautifully and evocatively conveys the essence of your loved one, and tells their life story with authenticity. It will be a memory that will stay in people's hearts and minds forever.
So, whether it's a traditional, contemporary, or alternative funeral, one thing remains the same – I promise to lovingly celebrate and farewell your loved one in a way that perfectly reflects who they are, and how they've imprinted the world. It’s what I do.
“It was a magical farewell. Annalise you were brilliant, brave and every word that you spoke was considered and chosen perfectly. You took us all on a journey and I didn’t want it to end.”
– Sarah
Being a funeral celebrant isn’t a job, it’s a way of life – a purposeful intention of connection and love. As a presenter, facilitator and life coach for over a decade, the world of storytelling and heart-centred delivery comes naturally to me. It’s what I love to do, and where I derive great purpose and meaning in my life.
With a deep, intuitive calling for this work, I come from a place of compassion and connection. This has led me to develop three superpowers – my gentle, light yet confident voice, my deep and genuine care for others, and my professionalism, which is of the highest order. When working with me, I guarantee you’ll feel supported, heard, and nurtured – it’s who I am, and how I show up every day.
Furthermore, I’m a keen listener, I speak from the heart, I have a way with words, and I care deeply about the families, like you, who’ve lost a loved one. It goes without saying that I’ll be fully present, connected and attentive throughout the process of saying goodbye – from our first meeting to the last.
My approach
“You gathered us all up and took us under your wing, united us in our love and grief for this magnificent man we all loved so much. You did that Annalise with dignity, grace and emotional constraint. You portrayed him as he is and will always be.”
– Donna
Options
When planning a funeral, memorial or ritual for your loved one, anything is possible. But often, the first words I hear are "I don't know where to start." And that's okay. With my years of experience, I’ll be by your side to talk you through what you do, or don't want, in a ceremony.
Perhaps you'd like to hold the ceremony at a special place of significance, or incorporate their loves or passions such as music, art, or sporting team! Perhaps you'd prefer a more traditional service incorporating personalised readings, tributes, and music. Together, we will build on ideas to create a unique and deeply meaningful farewell.
I can meet with you to chat through service options, or I can help to create and coordinate the entire ceremony. My level of involvement is completely up to you.
“I work with you to draw out the identity, uniqueness and story of your loved one, and transition these memories into a beautiful, meaningful and dignified service.”
– Annalise Jennings
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Feel free to contact me to learn more about what I do and to organise an introductory meeting. Alternatively, the Funeral Director can contact me on your behalf.
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If you would like to proceed with me, I will come and meet you in person, usually at your home.
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In our first meeting, I will be led by you. You may have a strong idea about how you'd like the funeral to be structured or located, or you may be seeking ideas, guidance and suggestions from me. Either way, we can map out a vision for how you'd like the service to look and feel, and the level of involvement that you'd like from me.
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Next, I'll work with you (and any other family or friends) to learn all about your loved one, including who they were, their values, their beliefs, their stores and how they loved to live their life. From there, I can create, coordinate, facilitate and choreograph a meaningful service that beautifully represents your loved one in every way, including weaving in narratives and anecdotes, as well as introducing prayers and/or poems (as appropriate). Although I can write and deliver the eulogy, I prefer to coach a family member on how to do this – as it’s often more personal and fitting.
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On the day of the funeral, I will work closely with the Funeral Director to facilitate proceedings, whilst providing love, support and compassion throughout the process.
How it works
Here's how the process normally works.
“Annalise you spoke so beautifully and bravely yesterday, despite your breaking heart. It was such a wonderful and fitting service, almost like he was there.”
- Caroline
For an all-inclusive fee of $1100, I provide the following services:
Family interviews to discuss the ceremony’s content, format and structure (this involves all travel to and from meetings)
Writing, co-ordinating and choreographing the ceremony (including poetry, reading or music selections etc.)
Guidance and support on writing the eulogy, or writing it myself from scratch (if required)
All phone and email communication to you, and to the Funeral Director (if required)
Conducting the service (if required), including supporting any ritualistic elements of the ceremony
A written and electronic copy of the service as a keepsake.
Please note that for more complex services, or for travel outside metropolitan Melbourne, additional fees may apply, but I will always discuss these with you first.
Inclusions
Contact me
If you're looking for a funeral celebrant with over 15 years’ public speaking experience, who has a compassionate approach and who understands the magnitude of 'saying goodbye the right way', please contact me via the details below. I'd love to chat about your requirements and how I can help.
Let’s talk: 0401 031 446
Email me: annalise@dynamicexchange.com.au