Rooted in history: Century of service marked with special tribute at Bateman’s

The deep bonds that tie our area together have been beautifully celebrated at Bateman’s this week, marking an extraordinary 100-year milestone. 

Waterhouse Funeral Directors, who are proudly celebrating a century of caring for families across our area, have donated a special commemorative tree to the grounds of the historic National Trust estate in Burwash. 

The planting highlights a profound and poignant historical connection between Waterhouse Funeral Directors and the property that dates back nearly nine decades. 

In 1939, it was the grandfather of the current Waterhouse team who was entrusted to conduct the funeral of Caroline "Carrie" Kipling, the wife of Bateman's famous resident and The Jungle Book author, Rudyard Kipling. 

By putting down new roots on the estate, Waterhouse Funeral Directors has created a lasting bridge between their shared past and the future of the East Sussex community they have both been central to for generations. 

“This tree stands as a lasting tribute to those we remember and a living symbol of hope," said Clare Waterhouse, third generation of the Waterhouse family. "Our deep connection to Bateman’s dates back to 1939, when my grandfather, Charlie, conducted Mrs Kipling’s funeral. Celebrating 100 years of caring for local families by putting down new roots here feels incredibly fitting. It bridges our past with the future of the community we love so dearly.

Nurturing the Next Generation 

The historic connection has also paved the way for vibrant new community initiatives this year. Waterhouse Funeral Directors recently partnered with Bateman’s to host a Centenary Colouring Competition for local schoolchildren. Inspired by Kipling's The Jungle Book, children from selected local schools designed brilliant, jungle themed masterpieces. 

The prize winners will have their artwork proudly displayed for the public inside Bateman’s historic kitchen area throughout the festive Christmas season. It is a joyful initiative that has seamlessly linked local heritage, schools, and the wider community together. 

A Living Legacy for Local Families 

The donation at Bateman’s is part of a much broader, deeply moving centenary initiative by Waterhouse Funeral Directors, who are hosting and supporting various other community projects throughout the year to mark their 100 years of service. In addition to the focal commemorative community tree planted at Batemans, Waterhouse has committed to donating a tree to every single family they have served this year, planted in loving memory of their lost loved ones. 

Through these collective acts of remembrance, education, and historical preservation, Waterhouse Funeral Directors and Bateman’s continue to prove that local history is not just something to be remembered, it is something that continues to grow, flourish, and support the community every single day.