Scattering Ashes in Pennsylvania — A Complete Guide

Everything Pennsylvania families need to know about ash scattering laws, verified cemetery scattering gardens, state parks, the Pocono Mountains, and cremation options in the Keystone State.

Author's Note: John has lived in our hometown his entire life. I have lived in a couple of other states, but never felt settled until I moved back home. My favorite thing is the changing of the seasons. Each season is awesome when it arrives, and I am also glad when the season changes. 

If you are thinking of scattering ashes in the state of Pennsylvania, it may be helpful to know the official symbols:

  • State Flower: Mountain Laurel 🌸
  • State Tree: Eastern Hemlock 🌲
  • State Bird: Ruffed Grouse 🐦
  • State Animal: White-Tailed Deer 🦌
  • State Fish: Brook Trout 🎣
  • State Fossil: Trilobite (Phacops rana) 🪨
  • State Insect: Firefly ✨
  • State Beverage: Milk 🥛
  • State Fruit: Apple 🍎
  • State Snack: Potato Chips 🥔

How Prevalent Is Ash Scattering in Pennsylvania?

The practice of scattering ashes has become increasingly popular in Pennsylvania, reflecting a broader national trend toward cremation and personalized memorials. Pennsylvania's cremation rate has risen substantially — from around 25% nationally in 1999 to well over 60% today — and Pennsylvania's figures broadly track this trend. More families are seeking meaningful and personalized ways to honor their loved ones, including scattering ashes in designated gardens, cemeteries, or natural locations.

Pennsylvania's landscape makes it a particularly compelling state for natural memorial ceremonies. The Pocono Mountains in the northeast, Ricketts Glen State Park with its waterfalls, Ohiopyle State Park and the Laurel Highlands in the southwest, the Susquehanna and Delaware River valleys, and the rolling farmlands of Lancaster County are all frequently chosen settings for scattering ceremonies. Several of the state's most historically significant cemeteries — in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh — have dedicated scattering options for families who want both a permanent and meaningful resting place.

Pennsylvania Laws on Scattering Ashes

Pennsylvania has no state laws controlling where cremated remains may be kept or scattered. This makes Pennsylvania one of the most permissive states in the country. The key statute is 35 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 450.504, which requires a cremation permit from the local or State Registrar of Vital Statistics before cremation — but places no restrictions on what happens to the remains afterward.

Rules by location type:

  • Private Property: Permitted on your own land. Scattering on another person's property requires the landowner's permission, and getting it in writing is wise.
  • Public Land (parks and municipal land): No state restrictions, but check city and county ordinances before scattering in local parks, as municipalities may have their own rules. A general best practice is to stay at least 100 yards from public roads or heavily used trails, and to fully disperse remains discreetly.
  • Pennsylvania State Parks: Not all state parks allow scattering, but many do permit it with prior approval. Contact the individual park office. Popular locations for families include Ohiopyle State Park, Ricketts Glen State Park, and Hickory Run State Park.
  • Gettysburg National Military Park: Allows scattering only in specific designated areas with a permit from the chief ranger's office. Contact the park before your visit.
  • Other Federal Land / National Parks: Contact each park's Special Use Permit coordinator in advance. Permits are typically free. Stay away from trails, roads, developed areas, water sources, and historic or archeological sites, and leave no markers.
  • Rivers and Inland Waterways: No Pennsylvania state law prohibits scattering on inland waterways. The Clean Water Act may require a permit from the state agency managing the waterway for formal water scattering. Use biodegradable containers or scatter directly.
  • Ocean / Sea Scattering: Federal Clean Water Act rules require scattering at least three nautical miles from shore. Containers must be biodegradable or disposed of separately. EPA notification is required within 30 days.
  • Aerial Scattering: No Pennsylvania state law restricts aerial scattering. Federal aviation law prohibits dropping the urn or container — ashes must be removed from containers before aerial release.

Ash Scattering Gardens and Cremation Memorial Options in Pennsylvania

Farmstead Scattering Garden — Cambridge Springs, PA (Mail-In Service)

Location: Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania Phone: (814) 450-5432

Unlike traditional cemetery scattering gardens, Farmstead Scattering Garden is a working farm in northwestern Pennsylvania that offers families a private, customizable mail-in ash scattering ceremony. Families can mail cremated remains directly to the farm, where they are scattered respectfully according to the family's chosen preferences — including specific location on the farm and the nature of the ceremony. This service is ideal for families across Pennsylvania and beyond who want a peaceful, rural, farm setting without requiring in-person travel. Farmstead maintains an active presence so family and friends can stay connected with the farm where their loved one rests.

Visit farmsteadscattering.com or see the full list of service options at farmsteadscattering.com/collections/services. Call or text (814) 450-5432 to learn more.

Laurel Hill Cemetery — Philadelphia

Location: 3822 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19132 Phone: (215) 228-8200

One of the most extraordinary cemeteries in the United States, Laurel Hill is the second major rural cemetery established in America, founded in 1836 as only the third major garden cemetery in the country, and in 1998 it became the first cemetery in the United States to be designated a National Historic Landmark. The 74-acre grounds in East Falls overlook the Schuylkill River, and the cemetery is an accredited arboretum with over 6,000 trees and shrubs representing 700 species. Over 33,000 graves include Civil War generals, Philadelphia mayors, founders of major American companies, pioneering scientists, artists, and cultural figures.

For families interested in cremation, Laurel Hill offers a dedicated Scattering Garden at Laurel Hill East with breathtaking views overlooking the Schuylkill River — confirmed directly on their primary website. The scattering garden includes a Book of Life in the Reflection Garden for permanent memorialization. Additional cremation options include in-ground cremation property with flush markers, granite niche benches in Telford Gardens, glass-front columbarium niches at Laurel Hill West's Chapel of Peace, and more. Laurel Hill also partners with Parting Stone to offer solidified remains as an alternative to traditional ashes.

The cemetery draws thousands of visitors annually for historical tours, concerts, and recreation. Open daily.

Website: laurelhillphl.com

Homewood Cemetery — Pittsburgh

Location: 1599 S. Dallas Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: (412) 421-1822

Founded in 1878 to serve Pittsburgh's East End, Homewood Cemetery is one of Pennsylvania's most distinguished historic cemeteries — a 204-acre non-denominational, non-sectarian Lawn Park-style cemetery bordering Frick Park in the Squirrel Hill and Point Breeze neighborhoods. The cemetery is an officially recognized arboretum and a landmark of Pittsburgh's civic heritage. Notable interments include H.J. Heinz (founder of the Heinz Company), Henry Clay Frick (industrialist), William Larimer Mellon Sr. (founder of Gulf Oil), Senator H. John Heinz III, Governor Dick Thornburgh, jazz pianist Erroll Garner, and Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller — making it both a living park for the community and one of the great repositories of Pittsburgh history.

For cremation, Homewood maintains a lawn garden cremation garden alongside indoor and garden mausoleums, with inurnment options for placement of cremated remains in urn gardens or family lots. Contact the cemetery directly for current cremation garden policies, scattering options, and availability.

Website: thehomewoodcemetery.com

Pennsylvania State Parks — Statewide

Various locations across Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's 121 state parks include some of the most scenically spectacular natural settings in the mid-Atlantic region, and several have been used by families for memorial scattering ceremonies. Not all state parks allow ash scattering, and policies vary by park. Always contact the individual park office in advance of any planned scattering.

Notable parks that families frequently choose for their natural beauty:

  • Ohiopyle State Park (Fayette County) — Whitewater falls on the Youghiogheny River, dramatic gorges, and Laurel Highlands ridgelines
  • Ricketts Glen State Park (Sullivan/Luzerne/Columbia Counties) — 22 named waterfalls along Kitchen Creek, old-growth forest
  • Hickory Run State Park (Carbon County) — Pocono Mountains setting, boulder field, hemlock forests
  • Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — Contact the NPS for permit information

Website: dcnr.pa.gov — State Parks

Are There Mail-In Options for Ash Scattering Services?

Yes. Pennsylvania families who want a farm setting — or families from anywhere in the country who want to honor a loved one with ties to Pennsylvania's rolling farmland — may choose Farmstead Scattering Garden in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. We've simplified the process by offering a mail-in service. You can mail cremated remains directly to the farm, and upon arrival we'll honor your loved one by scattering their ashes on our working farm. Choose a specific location and customize the scattering ceremony to reflect your loved one's wishes.

Visit our service page at farmsteadscattering.com/collections/services, or call or text us at (814) 450-5432 to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scattering Ashes in Pennsylvania

Is it legal to scatter ashes in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania has no state laws controlling where cremated remains may be kept or scattered. The only legal requirement before scattering is that a cremation permit must be obtained from the local or State Registrar of Vital Statistics before the cremation takes place (35 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 450.504). Once the remains are in the family's custody, there are no state restrictions on scattering.

Do I need a permit to scatter ashes in Pennsylvania state parks?

Not all state parks permit scattering, and those that do may have their own procedures. Always contact the individual park in advance. The park office can confirm whether scattering is permitted, identify any preferred areas, and advise on any steps they want families to take.

Do I need a permit to scatter ashes at Gettysburg?

Yes. Gettysburg National Military Park allows scattering only in certain designated areas, and a permit must be obtained from the chief ranger's office before your visit.

Can I scatter ashes in the Delaware River, Susquehanna River, or other Pennsylvania waterways?

There are no Pennsylvania state laws specifically prohibiting scattering in inland waterways, but the federal Clean Water Act governs inland water scattering and may require a permit from the relevant state water management agency. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for guidance on specific waterways. Use biodegradable containers or scatter directly.

What is the Scattering Garden at Laurel Hill Cemetery?

Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia offers a dedicated scattering garden at Laurel Hill East with views overlooking the Schuylkill River. The scattering garden includes permanent memorialization through a Book of Life in the Reflection Garden. Contact Laurel Hill at (215) 228-8200 for current pricing and scheduling.

Does Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh have scattering options?

Homewood Cemetery maintains a lawn garden cremation garden alongside mausoleum and urn garden options for the final disposition of cremated remains. Contact the cemetery directly at (412) 421-1822 for current availability and policies regarding any scattering options.

Can I scatter ashes on a working farm in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania has no restrictions on scattering cremated remains on private property you own or with the landowner's permission. Farmstead Scattering Garden in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania offers a formal mail-in farm scattering service for families from across the country. Call or text (814) 450-5432 or visit farmsteadscattering.com for details.

What are the most popular natural settings for scattering ashes in Pennsylvania?

The Pocono Mountains, Ohiopyle State Park and the Laurel Highlands, Ricketts Glen State Park, the Susquehanna River valley, and Lancaster County's rolling farmland are among the most frequently chosen natural settings. Always check local regulations for the specific site.

Can I mail ashes for scattering in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Cremated remains may be legally mailed within the United States via the U.S. Postal Service using Priority Mail Express — the only domestic carrier federally permitted to transport cremated remains. Remains must be properly packaged and labeled. Farmstead Scattering Garden can walk you through the mailing process when you contact us.

Does Pennsylvania have any unique cremation options?

Pennsylvania funeral homes and crematories offer traditional cremation, and interest in alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) is growing nationally. As of early 2026, availability of alkaline hydrolysis in Pennsylvania is limited — check with your funeral provider for current options.

Legal and Regulatory References


Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Mail-In Ash Scattering Services

View all