Abstract: Objective: To explore the death coping strategies of terminally ill patients and families, and to provide a realistic basis for the construction of localised hospice service model. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 20 terminally ill patients and 21 family members were conducted using purposive sampling and snowballing methods, and data were analysed and themes were summarised using interpretative phenomenological analysis and metaphorical methods. Results: Five major themes were included:①Escapes, Turns and Detours—Pushing the hand out and come back in;②Hiding, Endurance and Tough Decisions—Conceal spear and restrain sharpness; ③Balance, sway and stability— Balance between offense and defense; ④ Soft Behaviour, transformative Expression—Softening out; ⑤Sustenance, Ritual and Heritage—A vehicle for better remembrance. Conclusion: The five themes integrated death coping strategies of terminally ill patients and families as "Playing Tai Chi with Death". The results of the study provide a culturally-inspired understanding of coping with death for terminally ill patients and families. The results also suggest that a hospice practice model with Chinese characteristics should be constructed on the basis of conforming to the excellent Chinese culture in the future.

Key words: terminally ill patients; families member; death coping strategies; culture; hospice care