This paper provides a review of family caregiving for adult patients with serious, lifethreatening illness. Areas covered include the (1) epidemiology of family caregiving, (2) cross-cultural issues in caregiving, (3) impact of caregiving on families, (4) similarities and differences involved in providing care for patients with various illnesses, and (5) interventions for family caregivers. The importance of family caregiving to palliative care practice is emphasized.