The funeral director, or person acting as such, who first assumes custody of a dead body shall file a fact of death record. The funeral director shall obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available. A fact of death record for each death which occurs in this state shall be filed with the department within five days after such death.

Source: SDC 1939, § 27.0210; SL 1941, ch 124 , § 2; SL 1972, ch 194 , § 25; SL 1978, ch 254 ; SL 2003, ch 186 , § 5.