It specified that a quarter acre of fenced land used as a burial ground was not to be included in the sale. This is the section at the east front of Transit Rural Cemetery, the part that contains the oldest graves and stones. In 1873 the Transit Rural Cemetery Association was formed under New York State law with six trustees. The owner, Catherine Dentler , wanted the cemetery to buy her entire farm. Subject to rigid state laws, the operation of the cemetery remains a precariously break - even balance of income and expenses.
Income is derived from the sale of lots, a portion of burial fees, and individual contributions.
The major expense is grass cutting. Other coats have risen proportionately. Grass cutting is now done by a professional crew who come in with a fleet of gasoline movers and string trimmers under a year - long contract. Afterwards she would go on to her regular job as cleaning woman at Lilybrook. Once a year she would submit her bill for about 400 hours of work.