This study investigates the structural and functional changes in families, where a cancer-ill older family member is coping with terminal stage of the illness. Starting from a symbolic-relational perspective, attention is focuused on the meaning for the families involved of the last family transition, triggered by the loss of a first-generation family member. The research had, as one of its major goals, the identification of the family relations network and of the ways in which families approach the social and health services. The analysis of the data led to the identification of four family types. These can be set along a continuum with the functional pole at the one end and the dysfunctional pole at the other end and intermediate situations included within this interval. In addition, the results highlighted the close link existing between the relations inside thr family and the quality of the relation with the care-giving team: the unsolved situations inthe relations among generations re-emerge in the relation with the services.