In Ecuador, Article 20th of the Regulation of Funeral Services Facilities and Corpses Management published on the Public Registry two two six (226) of April 20th of two thousand eighteen (2018), establishes the legal procedure for a person’s remains to be handled after their passing. 

The client must sign in accordance with the Ecuadorian Notary Law, before a public notary, if the grantor is not fluent in Spanish an interpreter must be nominated to sign along with the principal.

Funeral homes in Ecuador are regulated by Art. 25 and 26 of the Regulations for Funeral Facilities and Corpsed Management published by the Official Registry number two two six (226) of April twentieth (20) of two thousand eighteen (2018); which established the following: “If the deceased does not have any relative, the petitioner of the authorization must present by writing an affidavit that includes this issue, which will be done before the highest authority of the described instances on the previous articles as it corresponds. “---” To authorize the inhumation and cremation and/or transportation of corpses, stillbirths, or human anatomical pieces within the national territory, the public and private health facilities will issue a form or authorization; and the applicant or relative shall present the following documents to those establishments:

a. In the case of corpses and human stillbirths, copy of the statistical death certificate- INEC, subscribed by the me doctor that issues it; or in the case there is no doctor or circumstances do not allow it, the form will be filled out with the declaration of two witnesses, in accordance to the Organic Law of Identity Management and Civil Data;

b. In the case of anatomical human pieces, copy of the report subscribed by the corresponding doctor; and, 

c. Identification, passport of refugee card of the relative of authorization.

To sign an affidavit for remains you need your cedula or passport. Documents as a driver’s license or other identification documents are not valid to sign a legal document.

Once you sign the affidavit for remains at the notary office, you can deliver the document to the funeral home you have chosen for your remains or you can give the document to someone you trust, and at the moment of your death, this person will deliver the document and your will goes into effect.

No, the affidavit for remains keeps your will, and in the case that your family has a different desire, they must respect the affidavit for remains.

Any person. It can be friend, the funeral home or a family member.

Sure. You will have to revoke the last affidavit for remains you signed and sign a new one with your desire.