Goal: To evaluate the extent and quality of research related to end-of-life conflicts in palliative care from 1995 to 2004. Accessible literature: Several electronic data bases (BDSP, Cinhal, Cochrane, Francis, Medline, PsychInfo, Saphir, Scopus and Web of science), as well as gray literature; studies published in French and English between 1995 and 2004 reporting end of life conflicts, tensions, disagreements, disputes in the context of palliative care. One hundred and two studies were included (87.2% published in English, 12.8% in French). Study designs include reviews (27.4%), cross-sections (18.6%), and case studies (18.6%). Reported conflicts are related to ethical issues (26.2%), care (19.1%), tensions between professionals and patients or families (11.1%), and team experiences (9%). Six studies (5.8%) give prevalence figures of conflicts. Half of the studies (51.3%) identify possible causes of conflicts: communication issues, demands for euthanasia and suicide assistance, patient autonomy, non-respect of advance directives, and cultural differences. Ten studies (9.8%) specifically identify effects of these conflicts: moral distress on the part of patients; stress, burnout, and guilt among health professionals; lack of trust between doctors and patients or families. Conflicts are mainly resolved through mediation and ethical discussion. Research data on end of life conflicts is scarce at all levels (quantity, quality, methods, social impact, and epistemology). A better understanding of end of life conflict might foster more adequate management of difficult situations, and ultimately more peaceful deaths for patients, better mourning for families, and better everyday work for health professionals.