MPs from across the political divide will pay tribute to Charles Kennedy today in a special Commons session.
Westminster was left shocked by news of the former Liberal Democrat leader's sudden death yesterday and time has been set aside immediately after Prime Minister's Questions.
Tributes to Mr Kennedy poured in following the announcement in the early hours of Tuesday morning and Commons Speaker John Bercow said he was a "principled, progressive and passionate" man as he announced the plans.
Mr Bercow said the occasion would mean "people can say what they think and feel and remember about our departed colleague, Charles Kennedy".
The session will begin at around 12.30pm once David Cameron - who will be among those giving his thoughts - has completed his first question time session as Prime Minister since leading the Conservatives to victory in May's general election.
In his announcement to MPs, Mr Bercow said: "I was always grateful to Charles for his support, encouragement and co-operation. I think I carry the House with me in saying Charles Kennedy was a principled, progressive and passionate politician and very importantly a proud parliamentarian.
"In an age of pervasive cynicism about politics and politicians, Charles had that rare and uncanny capacity to cut through with large numbers of voters of all political persuasions and of none, right across the country.
"He was doubtless assisted in that by his obvious sincerity, his relaxed style and his geniality. I know he was widely liked and respected in all parts of this House and he will be sadly missed."
The Speaker added: "The House will want, I'm sure, to join me in offering our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends."
Police were called to Mr Kennedy's home in Fort William on Monday, after being alerted by the ambulance service. It is understood that the politician's body was found in the house by a friend. The cause of his death is not yet known but it is not thought by police to be suspicious.
His death was announced "with great sadness, and an enormous sense of shock" in a statement by his family, who said they were "devastated".
"Charles was a fine man, a talented politician and a loving father to his young son. We ask therefore that the privacy of his family is respected in the coming days," said the family statement.
"There will be a post-mortem and we will issue a further statement when funeral arrangements are made."
Mr Kennedy's political career began in the Social Democratic Party, winning the Ross, Cromarty and Skye seat in 1983 to become the youngest MP of the time at the age of 23.
His leadership of the Lib Dems from 1999-2006 was marked by his staunch opposition to the war in Iraq, which helped the party achieve its greatest electoral success, winning 62 seats in 2005,
But just months after the election, Mr Kennedy's leadership was brought to an abrupt end when he dramatically admitted that he had been receiving treatment for an alcohol problem. Although he initially declared his intention to stand in a leadership contest, he was forced to stand down in the face of the threat of resignations by senior colleagues.
He never returned to the Lib Dem frontbenches, but remained a popular figure in Westminster, and was one of only a handful of the party's MPs not to vote in favour of coalition with the Conservatives in 2010.
Mr Kennedy had served as an MP for 32 years, but was ousted from his Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency last month as the SNP swept the board north of the border in the general election.
The loss of his Westminster seat came after an election campaign during which Mr Kennedy was forced to take a break following the death of his 88-year-old father, Ian, in April.
Mr Kennedy was divorced in 2010 from wife Sarah, with whom he has a 10-year-old son, Donald.