Farmstead Scattering FAQs

You can begin directly through our website at www.farmsteadscattering.com. Visit the Scattering Services page to explore the range of setting options across our working family farm—such as our wildflower patch, wooded trails, or meadow alongside our livestock.

Each basic scattering begins with your chosen location, and you may also customize it with timing, weather, or experience preferences. Every setting offers a different reflection of the land’s rhythm and beauty.

You’ll use the USPS Cremated Remains Mail Kit.Follow these steps carefully:

1. Place the urn (or just the inner bag, if preferred) and a copy of your order securely inside the shipping box.
2. We do not need a death certificate. If possible, include a link to the obituary in your order, or ensure the urn shows crematory information.
3. Please include a copy of your order inside the box or some indication of the order number.
4. Clearly label the box with the USPS Label 139 (provided in the USPS kit) on all sides of the outer package.
5. Mail via USPS Priority Mail Express – this is the only permitted service for shipping cremated remains.
6. You’ll receive a tracking number from the Post Office.

Ship to:
Farmstead Scattering Garden
Attn: [Your Order #]
26316 Old Highway 86
Cambridge Springs, PA 16403

Once your package arrives, we’ll send a confirmation email letting you know it has been safely received. Your scattering will then occur within the timeline you selected— a basic scattering occurs typically within seven days.

Yes. After the scattering takes place, you’ll receive an email message describing the day, along with a map of the scattering site and photos. If you request a video (home video quality), we will email you a link for you to download it to your computer, as the files are too large for email.

Yes. You can request a specific time or weather setting that aligns with your wishes. Many families choose sunrise, sunset, or a particular season—each representing a unique reflection of life and renewal on the farm.

Absolutely. Every scattering can be shaped to reflect the spirit and personality of the person being honored. Some families prefer stillness and solitude—perhaps at sunrise among the wildflowers—while others choose experiences that celebrate movement, memory, or joy.

Scattering may take place from horseback, connecting a lifelong rider to the rhythm of the animals they loved. Others have chosen to honor the working side of farm life by scattering from the seat of a tractor—whether red or green, depending on which side of that age-old farming debate their heart was on.

For those who wish to remember the laughter and connection that defined their lives, some families bring joy into the moment through card games or board games played at the scattering site—simple acts that remind us of the relationships and shared moments that make a life full.
Each scattering becomes its own story, shaped by the family’s wishes and the natural rhythm of the farm.

If you have something in mind that isn’t reflected in our listed options, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email amy@farmsteadscattering.com to describe your vision, and we’ll work together to bring it to life and provide a personalized quote for services.

We scatter ashes in the wildflower patch year-round to honor every season’s place in the cycle of nature. Even when the flowers aren’t in bloom, the land itself is alive — resting, renewing, and preparing to rise again. Every scattering, whether under winter’s stillness or summer’s color, is part of that continuing rhythm.

If we scatter outside of the blooming season, We’ll also include a photo of the wildflowers when they are in full bloom, so you can see the beauty of the place in its flowering season.

Our wildflower season typically runs from June through October, lasting until the first frost rolls across the fields.

No, we are unable to offer in-person scatterings or visits. Farmstead Scattering Garden is part of our working family cattle farm, and safety is our top priority. Farms can be unpredictable places — with tractors moving, hay to be baled, and animals needing attention, sometimes at a moment’s notice.

There have been countless times when family dinners or planned events were delayed or rescheduled because the land required our attention — a calf being born, a storm rolling in during hay season, or other time-sensitive needs. Because of this, we cannot consistently guarantee that a scheduled in-person scattering would go as planned, and we prefer not to risk disappointment during such an important moment.

For these reasons, all scatterings are mail-in only. You will receive photos and a map of the scattering site, and you can stay connected through our Facebook page for updates on the land and animals throughout the seasons.

We’d love for you to join our online community through Farmstead Scattering Garden on Facebook. It’s a peaceful way to see what’s happening here — new calves, changing seasons, and quiet reflections that remind us of life’s continuity.

If you feel comfortable, we would be deeply grateful if you shared your experience through a Google Review.

Many families struggle with making these decisions — sometimes because of financial strain, uncertainty about what feels “right,” or the lingering weight of guilt that can accompany choosing cremation or scattering. By sharing your story, you can help others see that there are meaningful, heartfelt ways to honor a life without added complication or expense.

Your words can offer comfort, confidence, and guidance to those walking through similar tender moments — reminding them that peace and beauty can be found even in simplicity.