This study investigates the effects of medical students’ and residents’ formative patient death experiences on their understanding of the role of the physician in dealing with dying patients. Analyses revealed a change in attitude, an acceptance of death as ‘part of life’. Thoughtful and comprehensive care, allowing patients to die and enabling them to have a beautiful death, were identified as the physician’s duty. Honesty, well timing and completeness were determined as the guiding principles of communication. The importance of distancing and keeping in control to practice the medical profession was stressed. The burdensome nature of making therapeutic decisions was emphasized.