Bella Montoya, 76, was first declared dead by a doctor at a hospital in the city of Babahoyo last week, reports BBC.

However, she was rushed to hospital for treatment when mourners found her alive after she knocked on her coffin at the time of the funeral.

After seven days in intensive care, Ecuador's health ministry confirmed she died on Friday from an ischemic stroke, reports BBC.

The ministry's statement added that she had remained under "permanent surveillance" while at the hospital.

Speaking to a local newspaper, her son,Gilbert Barbera was quoted as saying by BBC, "This time my mother really did die. My life will not be the same."