The City of Huntsville on July 9 approved a $19,080 engineering services contract with Schoel Engineering Company to design and oversee construction of a scatter garden at Maple Hill Cemetery. City officials say the new memorial area will be the first scatter garden in a cemetery owned by the City and is intended to serve families choosing cremation.
Design and timeline
The agreement covers design services, surveying and construction administration. City documents indicate the work is expected to take about one year from the start of the contract. Municipal staff and the contracted firm will complete plans and manage the construction process through the project’s close.
- Contractor: Schoel Engineering Company
- Contract amount: $19,080
- Estimated duration: ~1 year
- Location: Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville
What the City says
“The Maple Hill Scatter Garden will be a place where families can respectfully scatter cremated remains of a loved one and have a peaceful setting to mourn, remember and reflect,” said Tara Sloan, Director of Cemeteries.
City officials framed the project as a response to changing burial preferences. As more families opt for cremation rather than full-service traditional burials, municipal cemeteries are adapting to offer intentional spaces for memorial activity.
Context at Maple Hill
Maple Hill Cemetery is the oldest and largest burial ground in Huntsville. The property now spans 81 acres, and records show it began as a two-acre burial site in 1818. The cemetery already contains a variety of memorial spaces and historic interments; the scatter garden will expand the types of services and remembrance opportunities available on city property.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contractor | Schoel Engineering Company |
| Contract value | $19,080 |
| Estimated completion | About one year |
| Cemetery size | 81 acres (established on 2 acres in 1818) |
For families and funeral professionals, the addition of a city-run scatter garden could simplify logistics for scattering cremated remains and provide a designated, maintained location for memorial gatherings. The City’s cemeteries department indicated the garden will offer a “peaceful setting” for remembrance while expanding memorial options available within Maple Hill.
City residents with questions about the project or about cemetery services can contact the Huntsville Cemeteries Department for details on timelines and how the new space will be managed once construction is complete.
