Unresolved grief is an emotional process that occurs when a person is unable to fully integrate the loss of a loved one. Psychologically, processing grief involves recognizing the loss, accepting the pain, and transforming the relationship with the deceased by finding a new emotional balance. However, when this process is interrupted or avoided, the grief becomes rooted in the subconscious as an unresolved block, generating emotions that can remain “suspended” and, according to some therapeutic approaches, may even be passed down to descendants. Family Constellations, a therapeutic method developed by Bert Hellinger, suggest that traumas and emotional wounds, including unresolved grief, do not solely affect those who experienced them but extend as a “field of memory” that influences subsequent generations.
From this perspective, unresolved grief within a family system can lead descendants to carry feelings of sadness, emptiness, or emotional blocks, often without a clear understanding of their origin. These descendants may unconsciously take on the unresolved pain of their ancestors, manifesting difficulties in various areas of life such as work, relationships, health, and personal fulfillment. Family Constellations aim to dissolve these bonds and restore order to the family system, allowing each member to live freely without bearing the weight of past traumas.
During a session, the client’s family is “staged” through representatives who embody the roles of various family members. This representation allows for the visualization of emotional connections, hidden traumas, and blocked energies. When unprocessed grief is brought to light, there is an opportunity to honor and acknowledge that pain, symbolically returning the emotion to the family member to whom it belongs. This process enables the recognition of the emotional burden, resolving it, and restoring it to the person who experienced it, thereby freeing descendants from the role of “guardians” of others’ traumas.
By processing grief through awareness and respect for family history, a natural flow of affection and serenity is re-established between generations. In this way, the descendant can free themselves from these blocks and live their life with greater authenticity, ensuring that the past no longer influences the present and paving the way for personal fulfillment. Through Family Constellations, unresolved grief is transformed into a healing journey that honors the past while empowering individuals to embrace their present and future with renewed peace and clarity.