Immediate family members can. If the old man dies, but the old man's household registration book is at his brother's place, the younger brother can take his ID card to the village to issue a father-son relationship certificate (or a mother relationship certificate), and then take his ID card and household registration book to the hospital where his father or mother died and ask the hospital to issue or copy the death certificate that has been issued.
It is recommended to consult relevant local institutions to obtain more accurate information.