On July 30, 2025, the city of Birmingham, England, became the epicenter of a heartfelt farewell to one of rock’s most iconic figures, Ozzy Osbourne. The Black Sabbath frontman, known as the “Prince of Darkness,” passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped heavy metal and popular culture. His funeral procession, followed by a private ceremony, drew thousands of fans, music legends, and family members to honor his extraordinary life. This article explores the attendees of Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral, the significance of their presence, and the outpouring of love for a true rock royalty.
The Funeral Procession: A City Mourns Its Son
Birmingham, the birthplace of Black Sabbath, hosted a public funeral procession that saw tens of thousands of fans line the streets to bid farewell to their hometown hero. The procession, funded by the Osbourne family, traveled through Broad Street, pausing at the Black Sabbath Bridge, a landmark named in honor of the band. Fans, many dressed in black and purple to reflect Ozzy’s iconic “Prince of Darkness” persona, chanted “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy! Oi oi oi!” as the hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling out his name, passed by.
Megan Kerrigan’s Initial Reaction: A Silent but Powerful Move
The Black Sabbath Bridge became a focal point of the procession, where fans had been leaving tributes since Ozzy’s passing. Bouquets, handwritten notes, bottles of beer, and even toy bats—referencing the infamous 1982 incident where Ozzy bit the head off a bat during a performance—piled up at the bridge’s bench. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, attended the procession, stating, “Ozzy was more than a music legend—he was a son of Birmingham.” His presence underscored the city’s pride in Osbourne’s global impact.
The local brass band Bostin’ Brass provided a lively soundtrack, performing renditions of Black Sabbath classics like “Iron Man” and “Crazy Train.” Their performance, which echoed the spirit of New Orleans funeral marches, honored Ozzy’s wish for his funeral to be a celebration rather than a “mope-fest.” Fans sang along, transforming the somber occasion into a vibrant commemoration of Ozzy’s life.
The Osbourne Family: A United Front in Grief
At the heart of the procession was Ozzy’s family, who stopped at the Black Sabbath Bridge to view the tributes. Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s widow and manager of 43 years, was visibly emotional, breaking down in tears as she laid roses wrapped in black paper among the memorials. She wore Ozzy’s gold wedding band, featuring a row of diamonds, around her neck on a chain—a subtle yet poignant tribute to their enduring bond. Sharon also flashed a double peace sign to the crowd, a gesture synonymous with Ozzy, who once described Black Sabbath as “the last hippie band” in a 2002 Rolling Stone interview.
Accompanying Sharon were Ozzy’s children: Kelly, Jack, and Aimee Osbourne from his marriage to Sharon, and Louis Osbourne from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39, known for their roles in the reality TV show The Osbournes, comforted their mother, with Kelly holding her hand as they read fans’ notes. Aimee, 41, who opted out of the reality show to maintain her privacy, stood alongside her siblings, united in grief. Louis, wearing a purple tie with a skull and crossbones design, paid homage to his father’s rock ‘n’ roll style. Ozzy’s grandchildren were also present, adding a touching family moment to the public event.
The family’s presence at the bridge, where they spent several minutes absorbing the love from fans, highlighted Ozzy’s role as a family man beneath his wild stage persona. Fans shouted, “We love you, Sharon!” and “Ozzy forever!” uplifting the family’s spirits during their moment of loss.
Music Royalty at the Private Funeral
Following the public procession, a private funeral took place on July 30, 2025, at the Osbourne family’s mansion in Buckinghamshire, where Ozzy and Sharon had relocated in 2023. The intimate ceremony, attended by close family and friends, fulfilled Ozzy’s wish to be laid to rest on the grounds of his home, surrounded by memories of his life with Sharon.
Among the music legends in attendance were:
- Elton John: A longtime friend of Ozzy, Elton John described him as a “huge trailblazer” and “one of the funniest people I’ve ever met” in an Instagram tribute. His presence at the funeral underscored their deep bond, forged through decades in the music industry.
- James Hetfield (Metallica): As a direct musical descendant of Black Sabbath, Hetfield represented the countless bands inspired by Ozzy’s pioneering work. Metallica performed at Ozzy’s final concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park, making Hetfield’s attendance a fitting tribute.
- Marilyn Manson: Known for his provocative style, Manson cited Ozzy as a major influence, blending shock rock with heavy metal. His attendance reflected Ozzy’s impact on diverse genres.
- Yungblud: The British punk rocker, who performed at Ozzy’s farewell show, wore a cross necklace gifted by Ozzy, calling it “the most precious thing I own” in a social media post. His presence highlighted Ozzy’s influence on younger generations.
- Rob Zombie: A heavy metal icon in his own right, Zombie’s attendance honored Ozzy’s role in shaping the genre’s theatricality.
- Zakk Wylde: Ozzy’s longtime guitarist, who joined his band in 1987 and performed at the final concert, shared a heartfelt memory of their last conversation, where Ozzy texted, “I love you, buddy.” Wylde’s presence was a testament to their musical and personal connection.
Other notable attendees included Celine Dion, who paid tribute to Ozzy’s “boundless spirit and ear for melody” in a written statement, and members of Black Sabbath, including Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Their presence marked a final reunion of the band that invented heavy metal, following their triumphant performance at Villa Park just weeks before Ozzy’s death.
Fans and Tributes: A Global Outpouring
While the private funeral was reserved for close associates, the public procession allowed fans from around the world to participate in Ozzy’s farewell. The event was livestreamed, enabling those unable to travel to Birmingham to pay their respects. Fans left tributes at the Black Sabbath Bridge, including flowers, photos, and bottles of Jack Daniel’s, reflecting Ozzy’s rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.
One fan, wearing a hat from Ozzy’s “Final Bow” concert, told Reuters, “Ozzy was the heart and soul of Birmingham. His music will live forever.” Another fan, quoted in Rolling Stone, compared Ozzy’s cultural impact to that of Queen Elizabeth II, saying, “She was royalty, but so was Ozzy. He was rock royalty.”
Social media was flooded with tributes from fans and celebrities alike. Aerosmith called Ozzy “our brother in rock,” while Sammy Hagar, who performed at the farewell concert, praised his resilience in performing despite being “close to death” on July 5. Dolly Parton sent a video message to Ozzy during his final show, which was replayed by fans online as a touching moment.
Ozzy’s Legacy: A Celebration, Not a Mope-Fest
Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral was a reflection of his wishes, as expressed in a 2011 interview with The Times. He wanted his farewell to be a celebration, free of “harping on the bad times,” and a time to say “thanks” for his fortunate life. He even quipped about wanting a medley of Justin Bieber and Susan Boyle at his funeral, though he later settled on The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” as his preferred song, crediting the band for inspiring his musical career.
The procession and funeral embodied this spirit, blending solemnity with joy. The brass band’s upbeat performance, the fans’ chants, and the family’s peace signs created an atmosphere of gratitude for Ozzy’s contributions to music and culture. His journey from a working-class Birmingham youth to a global icon, overcoming dyslexia, addiction, and Parkinson’s disease, resonated with attendees and fans worldwide.