Objective To summarize the basic content of virtual reality technology (VR) used in palliative care and analyze its application effect and existing problems, so as to provide a basis for further standardizing and optimizing the application of VR. Methods Using the JBI scope review guide as the methodological framework, search the relevant research in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biomedical Literature Database. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to February 18, 2023. Two researchers independently screened and extracted the data. Results A total of 16 pieces of literatures were included. The main content elements of VR intervention include personalized video courses, natural scenery videos, immersive and non-immersive experiences of special life review courses, and the effectiveness and feasibility of the intervention have been preliminarily confirmed. Conclusion The application of VR in hospice care was in its infancy. In the future, a large-sample and high-quality research are still needed to verify the application effect of virtual reality technology in hospice care patients, and to provide the evidence-based basis for formulating the best VR intervention protocol.