iPhone with loading screen sitting atop wooden table.
Close-up of Apple logo on iMac desktop computer. Close-up of Apple logo on iMac desktop computer.

October 5th, 2011 is a date that a lot of people, including the writer of this post, will remember for long after the day - we have lost a great source of inspiration, Steve Jobs. Although I wasn't completely shock, I did have trouble believing the news for about 10 seconds. His intelligence and business savvy mind set gave me confidence in technology and gave me something to strive toward in my own way. The question stands: Will he be cremated and what kind of urn would he want?

There comes a time in every person’s life when they have to ask themselves, "How will I be memorialized?"  For William Randolph Hearst it’s a huge mausoleum in Colma, CA. For others it’s having their ashes ascended into space in a rocket. I would picture his memorial urn to be something more grounded; something with grace and elegance. With cremation in California now over 50%, it’s more than likely that Mr. Jobs will be cremated. 

Often the family chooses to have their beloved's remains around for some time. It can take up to a year and some time longer for a family to grieve and accept the loss of a loved one. Then at the right time, the cremation urn will be buried or the ashes will be scattered. Let's assume that Steve's ashes will be kept in the house for the next 90 days, what kind of urn will house his cremated remains?

  • I think one of the most appropriate urns that could carry the ashes of one of the most influential people in technology in the last 100 years, is a titanium box. It would have a sleek design with round edges and a smooth matte finish. With a small logo, picture or symbol that would sit in the bottom corner.

  • Another first thought is that his ashes will be held inside a mac =). It would be wonderful if he stated that he would like this. Although not likely, I think his influence on this world greatly began with the introduction of the original Mac computer.

  • Or perhaps something more traditional like a marble urn. On that urn could be engraved with the Apple logo (the company was his ship to changing this world). Marble has been used for thousands of years in memorials and most of the Greek and Italian sculptures are in marble.

  • Perhaps Mr. Jobs would like a headstone cremation urn. This dignified approach allows a person's remains to be out in a cemetery, enclosed in a granite upright headstone. His photo and information about his life can be engraved on the front this headstone.

Wired headphones sitting on top of Apple iPod. Wired headphones sitting on top of Apple iPod.

Whatever his (or his family's) choice, I hope that he is memorialized with the simplicity, class and the modernism that he is so famous for. Rest in peace Steve Jobs.