Vitali Klitschko presented the presidential award to Allie Landar
In the Column Hall of the Kyiv City Council, Kyiv Mayor and Head of the Kyiv City State Administration, Vitali Klitschko, presented state awards on behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations on Honorary Titles of Ukraine.
As previously reported, by Presidential Decree No. 92 “On Conferring State Awards of Ukraine on the Occasion of International Women’s Day,” the President of Ukraine bestowed upon Alla Landar, Director of the private enterprise Petro Velykyi, the honorary title “Honored Worker of the Service Sector of Ukraine” for her significant personal contribution to the socio-economic, scientific and technological, cultural and educational development of the Ukrainian state, for exemplary fulfillment of professional duties, and for many years of dedicated work. The honorary state title was granted to the head of the Kyiv-based company upon the recommendation and support of the Kyiv City State Administration and Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, as well as the Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers.
The first congratulations on this high distinction came from Marek Cichewicz, President of the World Organization of Funeral Operatives (FIAT-IFTA), as well as from National Members of the Federation from Europe, the USA, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Wishing her continued success, Mr. Cichewicz noted that in a few days, during a protocol meeting at the Federation’s headquarters in Amsterdam, the issue of recommending Alla Landar’s accession to one of the most authoritative professional associations in the United States would be decided.
Warm greetings to the Director of Petro Velykyi also arrived from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry for Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services, the Ministry of Health, and the National Academy of Sciences.
For the first time in our country, this honorary title has been awarded to a representative of Ukraine’s funeral sector, and it is gratifying that the first recipient of the President’s award in this field is a woman. This recognition was largely made possible by Alla Landar’s active involvement in the work of the World Organization of Funeral Operatives (FIAT-IFTA), thanks to which Ukraine joined the Federation with the status of National Member— the highest level of participation and state-level representation. This global professional platform includes cooperation with UNESCO in the fields of repatriation programs, as well as the study and promotion of funerary culture across different peoples and eras.
Alla Landar is well known in Ukraine for her participation in professional, expert, and academic discussions at global funeral industry exhibitions across various continents, as well as for her extensive managerial and operational experience in introducing new European-standard services into Ukraine’s funeral sector.
Recently, during ceremonies honoring prominent public figures, Alla Landar introduced a new service: the Book of Remembrance “A Person of the Era”— a family heirloom and artifact that preserves, forever, the greatness, memory, and love associated with a distinguished individual. Colleagues and associates— renowned figures in Ukraine and abroad, leading scholars, cultural icons, state-builders, politicians, and religious leaders— leave their recollections and tributes on its pages, adding historical and human weight to the accomplishments of each honored person. The initiative received broad public support and high societal recognition. Articles describing this innovation have been translated and republished in neighboring countries, offering a new and worthy example to emulate.
At Alla Landar’s initiative, a new level of service for farewell ceremonies honoring figures of national importance— those who made a notable contribution to the history of Ukraine, including prominent state, cultural, military, naval, sports, and religious leaders— has been introduced. This includes off-site ceremonies with custom-designed farewell halls and burial site decor, live floral installations, professional musical and vocal accompaniment, modern exclusive VIP-class transportation, artistic accessories, printing, and visual materials.
The first Ukrainian training manual for funeral-industry specialists, Funeral Practice in Ukraine, was also published with the support and funding of Alla Landar. Notably, one of the co-authors was her father, Petro Pohrebnyi, founder of the company and founder of the NGO “International Association of Funeral Professionals.” Today, the family firm bears his name: Petro Velykyi.
Recently, Alla Landar launched a new initiative in the funeral sector: the “Pre-lifetime Burial Agreement”, enabling individuals to plan for themselves and their loved ones in advance.
It is evident that Alla Landar’s adherence to high professional standards, her innovative approach, her broad network of contacts within central executive authorities and among national and regional political leaders, along with her societal reputation and recognition, have contributed not only to a number of legislative initiatives but also to new provisions in Ukrainian funeral legislation. Based on international best practices— including private funeral homes and crematoriums, private cemeteries, and eco-friendly green burials— these initiatives represent essential steps toward the progressive development of the funeral industry in Ukraine. They have not gone unnoticed by the Office of the President or the Kyiv city authorities.
