Israel's President Shimon Peres delivers a statement after the announcement of the death of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem January 11, 2014. Ariel Sharon, the trailblazing former Israeli general and prime minister who was in a coma for eight years after he suffering a stroke at the height of his power, died on Saturday aged 85, his family and the government said. [Photo/Agencies]

JERUSALEM - Israel will hold a state funeral for former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday, who died on Saturday at the age of 85, his family said.

Sharon will be laid to rest at a site close to his family's Sycamore Ranch in southern Israel. He will be buried next to his wife Lily Sharon, who died 14 years ago.

Local media reported on Sunday that his casket will be stationed in the Knesset (parliament) in order to allow the public to pay their last respect.

Sharon died at the Sheba Medical Center in central Israel after eight years in a coma following a 2006 stroke.

The iconic statesmen and retired general was one of the most influential and controversial figures in Israeli politics.