It was the responsibility of "the person who took charge of the body" to report the death to the local registrar. This was usually the undertaker or funeral home director."

Don't forget, in earlier years often there was NO funeral home involved. Families buried their own dead and may have been unaware that they needed to notify anyone.

I learned a few years ago, that the father of my aunt-by-marriage made caskets during her growing up years. News to me. And I actually knew this man....