Apple founder Steve Jobs died at home in Palo Alto, California, at about 3pm on 5 October of respiratory arrest caused by the pancreatic cancer he had been suffering for nearly seven years, according to reports.

Jobs passed away last week at the age of 56 after a long battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer that was first treated in 2004. Apple announced the death on its website but it did not disclose his cause of death.

The official cause behind Steve Jobs’ death last week has been revealed in the death certificate released by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. A copy of the death certificate made public indicates that the metastatic pancreas neuroendocrine, Jobs was suffering for the past five years, had spread to other organs.

Jobs is listed as "entrepreneur" in the "high tech" business in the certificate. Apple did not comment on the death certificate.

According to Bloomberg, no autopsy was performed, and Jobs was buried on Friday.

Jobs’ battle with cancer is well known. Jobs went on medical leave three times before resigning as CEO in August.

After a surgery in 2004, doctors believed that they had cured Jobs of his cancer. But the disease had spread, and Jobs had to go for a liver transplant in 2009. He took a six-month medical leave from Apple in 2009 for the surgery. He returned after that but the deterioration of his health was visible.

In January this year, he announced another medical leave. Jobs returned briefly to take stage once again in February to launch the iPad2. The frail looking Jobs wore his trademark black shirt and denims for the launch.

It was in August that Jobs had to resign an Apple’s CEO. "I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know," Jobs wrote in a letter to the board of directors 24 August. "Unfortunately, that day has come."

Jobs passed away the day after Apple announced its latest iPhone. The iPhone4S is slated to go on sale Friday.

Meanwhile, Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that Apple employees will hold a memorial service to celebrate Jobs’ life on 19 October at the company’s Cupertino, California campus.

In a memo, Cook said, "Like many of you, I have experienced the saddest days of my lifetime and shed many tears during the past week."

"And I’ve found comfort in both telling and listening to stories about Steve," added Cook.

However, no public services have been planned for the event, an Apple spokesman said.