Just mostly wanted to say thanks to the current owners of Poughkeepsie Rural for giving my mother (and me by Facetime) a detailed tour of the grounds and showing as many available plots as possible when my father passed. We were completely unfamiliar with the process of getting a plot and the process for burial, and these folks made a patient effort to help us pick the best plot as my father did not have any preset wishes for a specific place. Additionally, the current owner was super flexible with his time to allow us enough space to make a well-informed decision, and based on what I saw on video during the burial, I am very satisfied with the plot that was decided upon. The grounds are beautiful, many areas face the river or are lined with lovely flowering trees. My dad has always admired the dogwoods here. As feedback, some kind of written reference of all the different options when purchasing plot features a la carte (as opposed to the all-inclusive mausoleum garden spots) would have been helpful for us to figure out where the majority of the costs would be -- one of our friends helping us with the selection process also noted this as well, and it could have made our initial contact by phone more effective / easier at a stressful time. read more

I first became aware of this historic cemetery when I was a kid taking field trips up with my grade school class to the Roosevelt estate in nearby Hyde Park. I'd see a portion of the cemetery from the corner of my eye as we passed on Rt. 9 and, given my fascination with historic cemeteries (although I didn't necessarily know it was historic then), determined that someday I would pay it a visit. Turns out, I didn't actually get up there until I was an adult, but I've been visiting it on and off for the past 25 years, and hopefully will continue to do so for more to come (I live in NJ, so it isn't the easiest trip). Located on the east bank of the Hudson River, it is approximately 200 acres of bucolic beauty on the outskirts of urban Poughkeepsie. There's nothing beautiful about Rt. 9, but the cemetery is an oasis of calm and serenity amidst rolling hills, trees, a lake, and...of course...tombstones and monuments. The "famous" buried here include the Smith brothers (founders of Smith Brothers Cough Drops) and Matthew Vassar, founder of Vassar College. Of more immediate interest to me, Margaret Hamilton, the wicked witch from "Wizard of Oz," was cremated here (she lived nearby), although she's not buried here. George Custer was briefly interred here before permanent burial in West Point (across the river, not far away). Not actually sure how they determined Custer's remains were actually those of Custer, but I digress... Of course, sometimes the more fascinating monuments are those of the not-famous. The anonymous wealthy have sometimes elaborate mausoleums. Occasionally, one sees mournful statues, decaying somewhat with the passage of the decades, but still seeming to reflect with perpetual solemnity on those who have passed into the eternal. Most poignant was the small tombstone of a 12-year old child who died either of disease or in an accident (I would assume although I don't actually know). Next to her name and dates of birth and death is a self composed poem that reads, "In the spring everything is so nice and gay, the leaves such a pretty color, the flowers chuckle. It sounds like they are singing. It makes the earth move and groove. Just like us humans. I run so gracefully through the leaves. It feels like I am running in the thin air. The breeze of the wind feels like I am in the clouds." Sadly, the stone is lichen covered and a bit forlorn, although obviously the child was loved and remembered by those she left behind. The landscape is gorgeous, and the views of the Hudson River, the mountains and hills on the other side of it, and the majestic Mid-Hudson Bridge to the north, are truly magnificent. I've taken some great photographs here, although there was an issue approximately 20 years ago. I was told it might be a good idea to let the front office know I was taking photos. When I called, the person I talked to sound exasperated and impatient, although they didn't say I couldn't take photos. I found out later that a low-budget movie outfit named Troma was attempting to film scenes for a movie in the cemetery, and I guess the person I spoke to was fed up with their entreaties. Given that their most notable film was "Toxic Avenger," I guess the cemetery administration felt allowing such a thing would compromise the dignity and tranquility of the cemetery, and I'm assuming permission to film was denied. In any event, I've taken numerous photos since then, and I've never had any problems. Be respectful and discreet, and you shouldn't either. There's a large public mausoleum structure in the north part of the cemetery with an area for religious services, a lake towards the sound end where one can sit and contemplate the mystery and majesty of existence itself, the cycles of life and death, or the beauty and grandeur of what man has constructed in memory of those who have gone before us, as well as the awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur of nature itself. I believe there are walking tours that are given in the cemetery, and during the week, you can encounter those taking a stroll on their lunch hours during work. I should also mention that there are allegations that this cemetery is "haunted," but any ghosts I've passed by in the years I've been coming here are benevolent or shy ones, and have never overtly made their presence known to me. So don't be deterred. read more