In this article, we will be looking at the temporal dimension of the “good death” as defined in palliative care units. The institution of palliative care produces a temporal norm of about 21-days on average because of labour rationalization. This is, of course, only an average, but it implies an implicit optimum duration during which the patient is led to prepare his own death. This article underlines how the institution’s expectations may be at odds with patients who are too eager to die, and who do not seem to be willing to wait for the end of the biological term. Finally, the article describes the way the institution strives to have patients adapt to this ideal duration.