Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne is being laid to rest by his family and wife Sharon in his beloved Birmingham following his sad death on July 23
Ozzy Osbourne funeral: Tearful Sharon comforted by kids
Ozzy Osbourne has been given one final journey through his beloved Birmingham as he is being laid to rest. The Black Sabbath icon’s funeral is taking place in his hometown as he is given a hero’s send off.
The heavy metal legend died aged 76 on July 22, with his private funeral taking place just over a week later. His family decided to give fans one last chance to pay their respects to the legendary rocker as a special procession headed down Broad Street in the city.
The procession passed Black Sabbath bridge and bench, where floral tributes have been laid out in their hundreds for the music icon. It comes as Ozzy’s wife Sharon made an incredible gesture to Birmingham ahead of the star being laid to rest.
Ozzy was followed by his family – including wife Sharon and children Aimee, Kelly, Jack, Jessica, and Luis, in the special procession that was accompanied by a live brass band, Bostin’ Brass.
As the procession drove past, a grieving Sharon, 72, stepped out to admire the beautiful flower tributes and hand-written notes that had been laid on the streets by fans.
The procession took place from 1pm, with Broad Street closed to traffic from 7am. Ozzy’s family are covering the costs, with the council helping with the road closure.
The hearse carrying Ozzy’s coffin passed the star’s childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, at about 12.45pm on its route into Birmingham city centre.
Flowers had been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, since the singer’s death, while the owners of the house have put up a picture of Osbourne in the front bay window.
The Jaguar hearse and six Mercedes funeral cars, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car, drove slowly along the street watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house.
Ozzy had been “desperate to come home” in recent years following his Parkinson’s diagnosis, and he made it back to England before his death. The poignant message above the statement announcing his death read “Birmingham, England July 22, 2025” – revealing that Ozzy finally fulfilled his long-desired wishes and made it back home for one last time.
The rocker’s cortege is led by Birmingham band Bostin’ Brass. They played at an event at New Street Station when Ozzy the mechanical bull, created for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, was unveiled by his wife Sharon.
Band leader Aaron Diaz said he was feeling a mixture of nerves and honour ahead of the occasion. “It’s certainly high pressure. You do feel a weight of responsibility.”
“In the last couple of days it’s been amazing the sentiment the city feels towards Ozzy, the pride – he’s one of Birmingham’s own,” said the trumpet player. “We’re really going to enjoy playing a fitting tribute to him and being part of the crowd of thousands that’s going to turn out on the day.”
“Ozzy was more than a music legend, he was a son of Birmingham,” said Councillor Zafar Iqbal, Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
“His impact on global music is undeniable, but it’s his humble beginnings and enduring connection to this city that make him truly special to us.”
After decades in the music industry, the funeral will be attended with some of Ozzy’s long-term friends and collaborators.
Elton John is among those expected to be in attendance for the Prince of Darkness’s farewell, along with Ozzy’s Black Sabbath bandmates including Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler.
James Hetfield from Metallica has also been invited along with singer Yungblud, who has formed a close relationship with the star in the last number of years.
The mourners will be led by Ozzy’s wife Sharon and Ozzy’s children Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, at a maternity hospital in Marston Green, Ozzy was raised in the working-class district of Aston, where he developed the distinctive Brummie accent that remains one of his trademarks.
It was in the streets of Birmingham that Ozzy’s love for heavy metal grew, with the rocker and fellow Brummie musicians Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward forming Black Sabbath in 1968.
Just three weeks before his death, Ozzy made an emotional return to Aston earlier, where he and the rest of Black Sabbath performed at the sold-out Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park.
The show was a symbolic homecoming that proved his deep bond with the city and its people.
Despite decades in the global spotlight, Ozzy never lost his affection for his hometown. His thick Birmingham accent, often referenced in media, remains a badge of honour and as a reminder of his roots in the city’s blue-collar heart.
Local fans have long embraced Ozzy as a “local lad who done good”. Hundreds of fans gathered to pay their final respects to Ozzy at Black Sabbath bridge in Birmingham ahead of the procession.
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