HORIZON FUNERALS - Key Persons
Carol joined Horizon Funerals after nursing her mother through a brief illness until her passing in 2019.
From prior professional experience, Carol brings a strong Customer Service and Executive administration background to Horizon Funerals. With an eye for detail combined with a natural care and compassion; Carol has walked the path many of our families are experiencing. On a practical note, your phone calls and emails will be returned promptly and requests followed through to completion and no question is ever too big or too small to discuss.
Ian Brownlie was a respected member with consistent and regular attendance of the Moreton Business Network since 2016.
Horizon Funerals was founded by Ian Brownlie, sadly Ian has passed away.
The journey which lead him to becoming a Funeral Director started from the time he joined the Navy at 17 years of age. Eight months later, having just turned 18, Ian received notification that his father Bart, in his 40's had suffered a fatal heart attack. Bart obviously sensed something was amiss and managed to reach the local country Doctor's residence. It was one of the few times the Doctor had gone away for the weekend and with no-one available, Ian's father sadly passed away, alone on the doctor's doorstep. He had been an extremely hard working man, passing his work ethics on to Ian. A motor mechanic by day then continuing to work on their small 8 acre farm with livestock and crops the remainder of the time, he almost never stopped. When Ian heard the news he was in severe shock and disbelief. Not knowing what to think, he returned home to attend the Funeral Service, overwhelmed with grief and confusion.
Ian kept himself occupied with his duties in the Navy, learning an electrical trade and then one day whilst overseas, purchased a professional Minolta Camera. This would hold him in good stead for professional work many years later as he had an avid enthusiasm and keen eye for photography. After leaving the Navy he was involved various trades work including motorcycle mechanics, facia and gutter installation. It was many years later he picked up further with his photography, being the appointed Photographer for Sports events, Pet Photography, School Photography and Dance groups which then lead to Wedding Photography. Ian used these skills in the Funeral Industry designing beautiful, individually created Service Sheets and fully edited Reflection of Memories to music, which many people comment on.
Over the years conversation often arose of the sudden loss of his father, the missed opportunity of words that were never spoken, feelings never shared, a lot of things in their relationship never explained and the loss and regret felt. Ian was involved in many voluntary organisations and gave of his time and often finances willingly. At one time he felt compelled to reach out to assist some local battlers deciding to treat them to a free, generous sized takeaway meal each Friday night. So for a period of 2-3 years, he and a small team including Scouts groups, would arrive and set up to start cooking - giving away home cooked burgers, sausages, bacon and egg with all the trimmings. This was organised and paid for himself and was happy to do so as their gratitude was reward enough. Ian would have liked it to continue much longer, but in life things don't always go to plan and with a new introduction of Insurance Cover for voluntary events, it was no longer viable.
From his desire to help people and having an intrinsic gentle and kind nature, a door opened for him to become a Funeral Celebrant. In this role, he was involved with most Funeral Companies across North and South Brisbane. His days in the Navy were a solid foundation for discipline, efficiency and good timekeeping. Being well regarded and respected by several Funeral Organisations and with families thanking him whole-heartedly, his role extended to one of a Funeral Director.
Never one for sitting behind a desk all day, Ian always fully interacted with his families, visiting them when and where needed; going above and beyond to help them. In 2011 Ian opened Horizon Funerals based in Caboolture. Having no Commercial Funeral Offices in Caboolture, it was the perfect opportunity to provide an excellent professional, service to local residents and to this day they have remained the only Funeral office physically located in Caboolture. In 2016 Ian was able to open another office to serve Bribie and surrounding areas residents.
Ian was often recognised for his kind yet professional, gentle manner when looking after families and in the way he brings together the beautiful, meaningful Funeral Services that families had asked for. Their expectations are not only fulfilled, they are often exceeded.