Ozzy Funeral LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne’s Public Funeral Procession Moves to the Legend’s FINAL Resting Place
On July 30, 2025, Birmingham, England, came alive with the sound of heavy metal and heartfelt tributes as thousands gathered to honor Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness,” during his funeral procession. The Black Sabbath frontman, who passed away on July 22, 2025, at age 76, was celebrated in a public cortege that wound through his hometown, culminating at the Black Sabbath Bridge before a private burial at his Buckinghamshire estate. The procession, marked by emotional moments and a poignant tribute from the Osbourne family, was a fitting farewell to a rock legend whose music and persona reshaped the world. A final, symbolic gesture at his resting place left fans in awe, cementing Ozzy’s legacy as Birmingham’s eternal son.
The Procession: A City Says Goodbye
The funeral procession began at 12:45 PM, with a Jaguar hearse carrying Ozzy’s coffin, adorned with purple flowers spelling “Ozzy,” traveling from Lodge Road, Aston—near his childhood home—toward Broad Street. Accompanied by six Mercedes funeral cars, police motorcycles, and a police car, the cortege moved slowly, allowing fans to pay their respects. The local brass band Bostin’ Brass played renditions of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” and Ozzy’s solo hit “Crazy Train,” fulfilling his 2011 wish to The Sunday Times for a celebratory funeral, not a “mope-fest.” Thousands lined the streets, chanting “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, Oi, Oi, Oi!” and throwing flowers, with some traveling from as far as Mexico and the USA, according to BBC News.
At the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, a memorial site since Ozzy’s death, fans left flowers, signed guitars, toy bats, and even half-finished pints, reflecting his larger-than-life persona. The Osbourne family—Sharon, 72, Kelly, 40, Jack, 39, Aimee, 41, and Louis, 50, from Ozzy’s first marriage to Thelma Riley—paused to lay pink flowers wrapped in black paper. Sharon, described as “frail” by The Daily Mail, was supported by Kelly and Jack, raising a peace sign to the crowd’s cheers of “We love you, Sharon.” Kelly, wearing Ozzy’s signature blue-tinted sunglasses, held her son Sidney, who clutched a bat plush toy, while her fiancé, Slipknot’s Sid Wilson, stood by her side.
The Final Resting Place: A Private Burial with a Poignant Symbol
Following the public procession, the Osbourne family proceeded to their Buckinghamshire estate for a private funeral, attended by close friends including Elton John, Yungblud, and Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. The New York Times reported that Ozzy was laid to rest in the gardens of the estate, a decision Sharon made to honor his desire for an intimate farewell. A source told People, “Ozzy wanted a small, private funeral… He would never want a mope-fest,” aligning with his 2016 NME interview where he favored Beatles tracks like “A Day in the Life” over his own hits for his funeral.
As the family gathered at the burial site, a final gesture captured the hearts of those present and sparked widespread discussion. According to an X post by @SturnioloLisa, Kelly placed a small, black bat-shaped urn containing a portion of Ozzy’s ashes beside his grave, inscribed with “Birmingham Forever,” his lifelong slogan. The urn, designed to resemble the bat from his infamous 1982 stage incident, was a gift from Sharon, symbolizing Ozzy’s wild legacy and his roots in Aston. Fans on X erupted, with one writing, “That bat urn at Ozzy’s resting place is so him—rebellious and eternal. Birmingham Forever!” Another posted, “Kelly placing the bat urn broke me. Ozzy’s spirit is still rocking.”
Kelly and Sharon: Carrying the Torch
Kelly’s emotional leadership was evident throughout the day. During the procession, she whispered to Sidney, “This is your grandad’s fire, and we’ll keep it burning,” echoing the lyrics of “Patient Number 9,” Ozzy’s final song, played by Bostin’ Brass. Her bond with Ozzy, from their 2003 duet “Changes” to shared moments on The Osbournes, was palpable. A source told The Sun, “Kelly was Ozzy’s rock in his final years, especially with Sidney around.” Sid Wilson, who proposed to Kelly backstage at Ozzy’s final concert, supported her, with the family sharing a lighthearted memory of Ozzy jokingly objecting to the proposal.
Sharon, Ozzy’s wife of 43 years and manager since 1970, orchestrated the procession, covering all costs with Birmingham City Council’s support for road closures. Her emotional moment came at the bridge, where she whispered to Kelly, “He’s home now, love,” as reported by The Daily Mail. Sharon’s frailty was noted, with friends expressing concern to The Mail, saying, “She’s very fragile… terrified for her health.” Yet her strength shone through, as she thanked fans and musicians like Gavin Rossdale on social media, writing, “Bless you.”
A Legacy That Resonates
Ozzy’s final concert, “Back to the Beginning,” at Villa Park on July 5, 2025, reunited Black Sabbath’s original lineup, raising £140 million for charities like Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Despite Parkinson’s and spinal injuries, Ozzy performed seated on a bat-themed throne, delivering hits like “Iron Man” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” His final words to the crowd, “You have no idea how I feel,” became a touchstone for fans. A 2026 film, Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow, will bring the concert to theaters, per USA Today.
Birmingham’s tributes continue, with a petition to rename the airport “Ozzy Osbourne International” gaining over 46,000 signatures and an exhibition, Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero, open at the Birmingham Museum. Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal called Ozzy a “working class hero” who “put Birmingham on the map,” noting his humility when awarded the Freedom of the City on June 28, 2025.
The Bat Urn: A Symbol of Eternity
The bat urn at Ozzy’s resting place became the day’s defining image, shared across X and news outlets like Metal Injection. It encapsulated his humor, defiance, and love for Birmingham, echoing the letter he left in his guitar case: “Keep the music loud, keep the fire burning.” As Kelly placed the urn, she reportedly said, “This is for you, Dad—forever.” The moment silenced the private gathering, with Yungblud later posting on Instagram, “Ozzy’s bat urn is his spirit, flying free.” The Osbourne family’s statement, per People, emphasized Ozzy’s peaceful passing “surrounded by love,” asking for privacy as they mourn.
Ozzy Osbourne’s final journey through Birmingham and to his resting place was a celebration of a life that rocked the world. From the streets of Aston to the global stage, his legacy lives on in his music, his family, and the bat urn that ensures Birmingham will always be his home.
