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Dying is an unavoidable part of our existence. The professionals in palliative care units (PCU) are frequently faced with the terminal phase of dying. The aim of this study is to have a better idea of how they deal with the patients and their relatives and friends in such situations. This survey was exploratory, descriptive and multi-centred. Preliminary semi-directed interviews were carried out. A validation protocol was established with the help of two psychologists, eight doctors and eight caregivers from eight different PCUs. An oral test was also carried out. The survey was conducted among all the potential professionals of the 123 French PCUs in April and May 2013, using a questionnaire composed of nineteen closed or half-open questions. The results were recorded on Excel and studied statistically. 341 useable questionnaires were collected. The healthcare professionals proved to be sensitive to caring for the body despite the patient’s bodily and cognitive changes and proximity to death. They put the emphasis on the importance of taking into account and listening to relatives and friends. Proximology in this phase of dying takes on a new dimension. Three guidelines emerge from this survey: the global approach to the patient in this final phase of life; attention to the therapeutic alliance; inter-professionality for emotional support. These results give insight into this sensitive and mysterious period of dying as experienced by PCU healthcare professionals. Recommendations would be to consider specific harmonized training, to improve support for healthcare professionals and optimize support for relatives and friends.