Phagocytes have long been known to engulf and degrade apoptotic cells. Recent studies in mammals and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have shed some light on the conserved molecular mechanisms involved in this process. A series of results now challenge the traditional view of phagocytes as simply scavengers, 'cleaning up' after apoptosis to prevent inflammatory responses, and hence tissue damage. Instead, they suggest that phagocytes are active in the induction and/or execution of apoptosis in target cells.