Through a qualitative approach, this article develops some ideas to give a better understanding of the way in which the carers of a specific palliative care unit deal with mourning on a day-to-day-basis. The main focus of this investigation is the influence of the past, i.e. private mourning, or mourning experienced in the professional context. Where do the professionals draw their resources from? And what kind of obstacles do they encounter? What is the effect of past experiences of mourning on the way in which carers manage the new losses they experience at work?