Ambiguous loss is a form of grief that comes without clear answers or closure. It can happen when a loved one is physically present but psychologically absent (such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, brain injury, drug/alcohol abuse, or severe mental illness) or when they are psychologically present but physically absent (such as divorce, estrangement, missing persons, adoption, or military deployment). Unlike other losses, there is no clear closure, no definitive “goodbye,” and the uncertainty can leave people feeling stuck between hope and grief.
This kind of loss can be especially challenging because it is not always recognized or understood by others. Friends and family may not see it as a “real” loss, yet the emotional toll is very real. There is heartache. But there is also hope. Naming and acknowledging ambiguous loss can be the first step toward healing, helping individuals honor both the love and the longing while learning to navigate life in the space between holding on and letting go.
Join our very own Dr. Mark Vande Braak on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 1 PM CT as he leads an online, educational grief support session to explore the unique grief associated with ambiguous loss.
This offering is part of “Dr. Mark’s Grief Support Series,” a program of year-round educational grief/loss support provided by Lutheran Family Service. Each session will focus on a different area of loss as presented by Dr. Mark, an expert with more than 30 years of mental healthcare experience in death and trauma. This is a FREE series with no registration fee. If you would like to join this session on ambiguous loss, sign up below. Please share with anyone who may be grieving a loss of this kind.
