Funeral Shipping
Shipping Human Remains to Ecuador
Ecuador’s health regulation lists the documents needed to bring a body or ashes into the country, and a ministry authorizes the entry at the airport or border. Here is what it says, the state support that exists for some families, and how we help.
The short version
Last reviewed: November 7, 2026.
- Ecuador’s regulation says entry of a body or ashes is authorized by the Ministry of Public Health, through its zonal health coordination office at the point of entry, which issues an authorization form once the documents are presented (articles 28 and 34).
- The documents include a death certificate in Spanish that is legalized or apostilled, an embalming or cremation certificate, a transfer permit from the country of death, and the ID or passport of the relative or applicant (article 34).
- The regulation says entry and transport must meet the conditions in the IATA cargo manual (article 27), and that the rules of the other country involved must also be met (article 36).
- Ecuador’s foreign ministry describes a free assistance procedure for relatives of Ecuadorians who died abroad and who face economic hardship.
Sources: Ecuador: Reglamento para el manejo de cadáveres y servicios funerarios, Acuerdo Interinstitucional 00001-2022 (published January 26, 2022; status shown as in force); and Ecuador foreign ministry: repatriation of bodies or remains of Ecuadorians abroad (updated January 20, 2026). Requirements and fees can change, and fees may not be the same today. The regulation sets the rules inside Ecuador, so we also confirm consular details for a shipment from Florida.
How shipping human remains to Ecuador works
- Choose a licensed funeral home in FloridaIt cares for your loved one, embalms or arranges cremation, and prepares the Florida documents.
- Prepare the documentsThe death certificate must be in Spanish and legalized or apostilled, according to the regulation. See the table below.
- Identify the person who will apply in EcuadorA relative or applicant presents the documents at the Ministry of Public Health office at the point of entry. If there are no relatives present in Ecuador, the regulation asks for a special power of attorney from the relatives, or a diplomatic note from the consular or diplomatic representative authorizing the final disposition (article 29).
- Meet the airline and IATA conditionsThe regulation refers to the IATA cargo manual for the conditions and characteristics of the transport. The coffin must also meet the technical characteristics in the regulation.
- Entry authorization in EcuadorThe health office at the airport, port or border issues the authorization form after reviewing the documents.
- Book the flight and shipWe confirm the carrier, cargo cut-off and arrival airport, and send the details to the receiving side.
Documents Ecuador’s regulation lists for entry
This table follows article 34 of Ecuador’s regulation for managing bodies and funeral services. The regulation governs what happens at Ecuador’s points of entry, so we confirm whether the Ecuadorian consulate asks for anything more for shipments from Florida.
| Document or item | Who usually provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate in Spanish, legalized or apostilled as applicable | Florida funeral home and the vital records office; apostille through Florida authorities; translator | The regulation says “en idioma castellano”. See our Dominican Republic guide for how Florida apostilles work, and Document Translations for Destination Countries. |
| Embalming or cremation certificate | Funeral home or crematory | See Embalming and Shipping. |
| Transfer permit showing name, surname, age, place and cause of death | Florida funeral director, issued by the competent authority where the death occurred | See What Is a Burial-Transit Permit?. |
| Certified copy of the medico-legal autopsy protocol, if applicable, legalized or apostilled | Medical examiner, via the funeral home | Only where an autopsy was done. |
| ID or passport of the relative or applicant | Family | Presented at the Ministry of Public Health office at the point of entry. |
| Special power of attorney or diplomatic note, if no relatives are present in Ecuador | Family or consular representative | Described in article 29 of the regulation. |
State assistance for families in hardship
Ecuador’s foreign ministry describes a procedure for relatives of Ecuadorians who died abroad and who face economic and social hardship. According to its page, the applicant submits a written request to the Ecuadorian consulate or the corresponding regional directorate, with the deceased’s details, a document certifying the death where available, ID of the relative, information showing hardship and a sworn statement of insufficient funds. The ministry lists the procedure as free of charge.
If you think you may qualify, contact the Ecuadorian consulate before signing a contract with a funeral home, and ask how the assistance works. We can still help you plan the shipping once you know your options.
Timing and cost factors
We do not publish a fixed price or number of days. For Ecuador the main variables are:
- The apostille and the Spanish translation of the death certificate.
- The transfer permit and any autopsy documents.
- The health authority’s authorization at the point of entry.
- Flight availability, cargo cut-off and the arrival airport, and the trip onward inside Ecuador.
- Funeral home charges at both ends and airline cargo charges, which may not be the same from case to case.
Read What Affects the Cost of Funeral Shipping, and How to Keep It Affordable and How Long Does Funeral Shipping Take?.
How we help families with Ecuador repatriation
We coordinate the shipping side: sequencing the apostille and translation, checking the file against the regulation’s list, coordinating with the Florida funeral home and the receiving side in Ecuador, booking transport and keeping you updated. We do not have an office in Ecuador, and the funeral and burial there are carried out by the receiving funeral home.
Frequently asked questions
Do you ship to Ecuador?
Yes, we coordinate repatriation to Ecuador. We confirm the current requirements and the route on every case.
Which documents does Ecuador list for a body?
Article 34 of the regulation lists a Spanish death certificate legalized or apostilled, an embalming or cremation certificate, a transfer permit from the country of death, an autopsy protocol copy where applicable, and the relative’s ID or passport.
Who authorizes the entry?
The regulation says the Ministry of Public Health, through its zonal health coordination office at the airport, port or border, issues the authorization form after the documents are presented.
What if no relatives are in Ecuador?
Article 29 asks for a special power of attorney from the relatives, or a diplomatic note from the consular or diplomatic representative authorizing the final disposition.
Can ashes be sent to Ecuador?
The same authorization process in the regulation covers ashes, with a cremation certificate instead of an embalming certificate. See Cremation and Shipping.
Does Ecuador help with the cost?
The foreign ministry describes a free assistance procedure for relatives in economic hardship. Ask the Ecuadorian consulate before signing with a funeral home.
How long does it take?
We cannot promise a fixed timeline. It depends on the apostille, translation, health authorization and flights.
Arrange repatriation to Ecuador
Tell us where your loved one is and where in Ecuador the funeral will be held. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.