Exteriors for Laura Welman's home were filmed at a hospice. David Suchet visited the the elderly residents in costume and remained in the character of Poirot to answer their questions.
The title refers to lines from William Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night": "Come away, come away, death, And in sad cypress let me be laid." Cypress wood can be used to make coffins. The words are spoken early on in the episode by Mrs. Welman.
One of the saddest and most moving of all the Poirot stories. What makes it especially moving is the beautiful, haunting film score mostly played on the 'cello - one of the more mournful orchestral instruments.
Paul McGann portrays a doctor in this episode. McGann is well known for playing the eighth version of the Doctor in the TV movie Doctor Who: The Movie (1996) and radio series. Furthermore, his character's name is Dr. Lord, and as the Doctor he is a Time Lord.
As of 1st March 2024 the earliest episode of Poirot where all of the actors and actresses playing the characters remaining alive.