Stratification

I believe that strawberry seeds and plants need a period of cold during the winter.  My question is regarding strawberry seeds (specifically SC's strawberry seed swap seeds). When putting the seeds into the cold do they need to be in/on the soil, i.e. sowed or do they have to be dry?

Looking forward to the helpful replies

A seed that isn't in contact with some sort of moisture won't germinate - otherwise all seeds in packets would!

RHS advice - https://www.rhs.org.uk/fruit/strawberries/grow-your-own

I agree with VC...I have some seeds that I've yet to start stored in the fridge in their packets. I've a few others I've started / in trays of compost also in the fridge ....alternatively. You can put in a greenhouse? Cold night and warmer days often work?

RHS says nothing about a cold spell.

Seeds went in the freezer for a while, then I read that VC had sown some seeds needing stratification first before chilling, I just wondered about the timing of the chill. I shall refrigerate my little pot of strawberry seeds.

I grew some raspberries from seed once which didn't appear after planting. It wasn't until the following year after planting that they unexpectadly appeared. 

None of the strawberry seeds I’ve sown have ever had experienced the cool.
Can’t remember exactly when I sowed them but definitely late spring or summer.

RHS says nothing about a cold spell.

Seeds went in the freezer for a while, then I read that VC had sown some seeds needing stratification first before chilling, I just wondered about the timing of the chill. I shall refrigerate my little pot of strawberry seeds.

Not me, Missus! I'll just be sowing them in a pot as normal, then sticking them outside on a table to let the weather do its worst.

Maybe I'll not bother then. Stratification might not be on my list of jobs, so I can cross it off! YAY!

BTW this is where I got the idea that strawberry seeds needed chilling

https://strawberryplants.org/strawberry-seeds/