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Wednesday May 6, 2015
Last night was an awesomely bright full moon. However capturing a decent image is not easy, even on a manual setting, because these digital cameras still try to out-think you. It is all very maddening.
Today was an End-Of-Life conference put on by my friend, Wendy Carrell, our local expat expert in such matters. She managed to get it sponsored by, and held at, the Chamber Of Commerce. I arrived 20 minutes early and the place was already packed so they moved everything into the larger auditorium next door.
The other main speaker was lawyer Grace Velastegui (who handled our house purchase) who is a local expert on Expat visas and requirements. Government laws overrule any wills or wishes. Your children (even if you don't want them to) inherit a portion of your estate automatically. Everybody here has to have their hands in your pockets, even in death.
The other person on the dais was Simon Toral Chacon, the principal in the Santa Ana Funeraria y Camposanto. They are a recommended place to arrange for your End-Of-Life wishes.
Basic services they will provide for $850 are:
- Personnel to transport the body
- Cremation
- Wooden chest for the ashes
- Hearse transportation services
- Advice on all the Government B.S. and documents that you will require.
For $350 they will just cremate you (once you have received the necessary permissions for before, and after), but every other thing is at your expense.
You will see by the photos attached that a person cannot simply die in Ecuador, have a quick cremation and send the ashes to your home country as part of someone's baggage. No, everyone's palms have to get greased first, starting with the Government, the lawyers, and the Notaries. The ridiculous paperwork is mind-boggling, especially if you don't have 3 blood relatives over the age of 18 in Ecuador at the time of your unfortunate demise.
As you know, anything to do with Government in this country just makes me crazy, and this was no exception. If you die here it just creates a nightmare for everyone else.
I hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al  |
| May 5/15 beautiful full moon |
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| Big crowd on hand for the End-Of-Life conference |
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| People were still coming in... |
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| 3 main people on the dais |
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| Introductions are made |
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| Wendy Carrell starts things off |
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| Lawyer Grace Velastegui is next |
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| She tells us all about the legal complications |
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| Simon Toral Chacon read off the following slides |
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| Documents, documents, documents required |
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| Need 3 blood relatives to agree to cremation |
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| The last option is to give the permission before you die (for $350) |
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| You can't just take the ashes in your suitcase apparently... |
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| More documents, documents, documents |
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| For $850 they will give you basic services and lots of advice |
