Why Do We Now Have Sleek Modern Cremation Urns? An Interview with Steve Prastka

Today, SevenPonds speaks with Capsule Urn company founder Steve Prastka. Located near Portland, Oregon, Capsule Urn aims to update the often outdated or traditional perception that our culture has of vessels and cremation urns. American-made, design-driven and entirely contemporary – Capsule Urn is a strong force for changing the way we perceive death and end-of-life planning.

MaryFrances: What is Capsule Urn? What is your role there?

Steve: We design and manufacture American-made, contemporary cremation urns that stand apart in the crowded landscape of ordinary cremation solutions — they have a very sophisticated design.

My role is multi-faceted, but I serve as Design Director and work to research, plan and design new memorial solutions. The whole brand began as a response to a family experience years back where we were unable to find a well-considered and contemporary urn for a family member — at any price. Our backgrounds in industrial design (product design) led us to further research the market. And the funeral industry was undeserved with respect to modern design.

Credit: Capsule Urn

Eventually, Joyce Chua (Co-founder and Creative Director) and I launched Capsule Urn to design and manufacture a premium American-made alternative that offers contemporary cremation urns and premium keepsakes at accessible price points.

MaryFrances: Who is the Capsule Urn client? Who are you designing for?

Steve: We design for people who resonate with modern design and believe that you can have an elegant, understated and high-quality option in terms of urn choice – they appreciate iconic forms and personalization in their own life and don’t believe those values should disappear with end-of-life planning.

MaryFrances: People are starting to look for ways to make “greener” end-of-life decisions. How can Capsule Urn speak to that goal?

Steve: American-made products have to meet strict environmental and manufacturing standards that overseas brands don’t always respect. With Capsule Urn, you are supporting living wage jobs in the “environmentally-responsible” American manufacturing sector. And we really feel we have a well-considered Product Life Cycle. Our modern cremation urns are designed to be fully recycled, but that doesn’t mean we don’t strive to create timeless products.

“American-made products have to meet strict environmental and manufacturing standards that overseas brands don’t always respect.”

Credit: Capsule Urn

MaryFrances: Death and dying have become largely taboo, sweep-it-under-the-rug topics in America. Do you think your contemporary, updated conceptions of the urn will help change that?

Steve: That is a distinct possibility. We have noticed that our “design language” has certainly fostered interesting conversations in the mainstream and funeral industry media. Many funeral professionals have noticed a “de-ritualization” in their practices – a tough business situation as well as an unfortunate cultural shift in society. That said, the dramatic rise in cremation is something funeral directors are taking seriously.

Credit: Capsule Urn

“We have noticed that our “design language” has certainly fostered interesting conversations in the mainstream and funeral industry media.”

5) MaryFrances: How has your background in industrial design influenced your design philosophy with the urns?

Steve: We’re formally trained designers, and we’ve leveraged our years of experience in creating products for our clients that we would want to personally purchase. Capsule Urn also respects the Bauhaus approach to design: to offer meaningful objects that represent design excellence, technological innovation and mass production. It’s important for us to continue to push the envelope of advanced manufacturing, precision craftsmanship, new finishes, authentic materials and overall “surprise and delight” moments for clients. The families we serve are important to the human-centered design process we employ.

Steve’s Cremation Urn Shopping Tip:

1)  Be discerning when you search online or patronize a funeral home. You have significant options and many “green” products are made in less-than-sustainable or environmentally-friendly settings (China, India, etc).

MaryFrances: Thanks, Steve.

Steve: Thank you.

More about cremation and memorial ceremonies:

• To buy a Capsule Urn or checkout more beautiful designer crenation urn options, view our SevenPonds curated selections under “Local Resources.”
• Learn more about cremation in our article “Choosing Cremation.”
• Planning a memorial service or cremation ash scattering? Use our SevenPonds sep-by-step After Death Planning Guide section on “Remembrance Event.” It also provides a  down loadable checklist.