Following state honors bestowed upon singer Karel Gott in 2019, former Czech Foreign Minister and presidential advisor Karel Schwarzenberg also received a state funeral at the complete of 2023, a tribute his family accepted shortly after his death. This form of farewell, while formal, is less elaborate than a full state funeral reserved for exceptionally prominent figures.
According to former presidential ceremony official Jindřich Forejt, a state funeral with honors is typically marked by the presence of the national flag or participation by military personnel. The practice began with the funeral of former ombudsman Otakar Motejl in 2010. In 2016, the government considered a state funeral with honors for gymnast Věra Čáslavská, and a similar tribute was discussed following the death of athlete Emil Zátopek in 2000. In both instances, the families declined. “If it comes to honoring memory, politics should be set aside,” stated Klempíř in a released statement.
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Jana Brejchová was born in Prague on January 20, 1940, as the second oldest of eight children. She was discovered by director Ladislav Helge at age 13 while he was searching for a girl for the film *Olověný chléb* (Lead Bread). She quickly became one of the most frequently cast actresses, sought after by both film and later theater directors.
Her best-known films include *Vlčí jáma* (Wolf’s Pit), *Vyšší princip* (Higher Principle), *Každý den odvahu* (Every Day Courage), *Mladý muž a bílá velryba* (Young Man and the White Whale), *Zánik samoty Berhof* (The Demise of the Berhof Solitude), and *Kráska v nesnázích* (Beauty in Trouble). She also appeared in the musicals *Kdyby tisíc klarinetů* (If a Thousand Clarinets) and *Noc na Karlštejně* (A Night at Karlštejn Castle), as well as comedies from the 60s and 70s, such as *Zabil jsem Einsteina, pánové…* (I Killed Einstein, Gentlemen…) and *Hodíme se k sobě, miláčku…?* (Are We a Match, Darling?).
