Objective: To determine the factors influencing the necessity of holding death conferences. Methods: Data of 416 cancer patients who died in the palliative care unit of the National Cancer Center Hospital East between August 2013 and February 2015 were reviewed. Patients’ medical charts and data sheets of conferences held after their deaths were analyzed. Results: A total of 25.7% of participants saw the necessity of holding death conferences. Multiple logistical regression analyses revealed four independent factors that influenced the holding of death conferences: age <50 years; length of stay in the palliative care unit ≥20 days; epidural analgesia; aphonia; and abdominal distention. Conclusion: These factors might explain nurses’ difficulty in providing end-of-life care for cancer patients.