Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral procession gave way to a private ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, following an emotional public tribute on Birmingham’s Broad Street attended by his wife, Sharon.
At 1pm, the Black Sabbath frontman’s hearse was driven down the city centre street, with family members following behind in a procession accompanied by local brass band Bostin Brass. The cortege paused at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench, where thousands of fans have gathered since the heavy metal legend’s death last week at the age of 76.
Sharon Osbourne, visibly moved, was joined by the couple’s children, Jack and Kelly, along with other close relatives, as they stopped to view the tributes and lay flowers of their own.
The event drew huge crowds as fans paid their final respects to one of Birmingham’s most iconic sons. Birmingham City Council said it had worked “at pace” with the Osbourne family to arrange a safe and respectful public farewell, ahead of the private funeral which took place later in the day.
The service was attended by Sharon and their children, as well as Ozzy’s son Louis, from his first marriage, and his grandchildren. The surviving members of Black Sabbath and their friends and fellow metal legends, Metallica, also attended.
Follow live updates below:
Ozzy Osbourne’s cortege makes touching detour past his childhood home
Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial ahead of husband’s funeral
‘There will never be another Ozzy Osbourne’: Fans gather for funeral of Black Sabbath legend
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Ozzy Osbourne's funeral - key points
- Watch the funeral procession live from Birmingham
- Graffiti artist Mr Murals helps touch up murals before the funeral procession
- What Ozzy's fellow artists said in tributes after his death
- Metallica's Rob Trujillo confirms he's attending Ozzy's funeral
VIDEO: Osbourne family read tributes and salute fans at Ozzy funeral procession
11:01 , Roisin O'ConnorA timeline of ‘soulmates’ Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s relationship
10:42 , Roisin O'Connor‘I couldn’t live without her.’
‘I couldn’t live without her’: A timeline of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s relationship
Ozzy Osbourne flung open hell’s musical gates – and changed the world
10:22 , Roisin O'ConnorThe Black Sabbath frontman personified metal as a raving, hell-bound lunatic, fully devoted to the nightmarish conceit. He sang of black masses and apocalyptic iron men with genuine menace and soul-staring intensity, a wild-eyed wolfman with a liver of steel. Mark Beaumont pays his respects
Ozzy Osbourne flung open hell’s musical gates – and changed the world
VIDEO: Ozzy Osbourne fan fights back tears after funeral procession
09:56 , Roisin O'ConnorThousands turn out in Birmingham to bid farewell to the prince of darkness
09:41 , Roisin O'ConnorThousands of fans lined the streets of Birmingham to pay their final respects to the Black Sabbath frontman as his funeral procession passed through his home city before a private service. Holly Evans reports.
‘There is only one Ozzy Osbourne’: Birmingham bids farewell to heavy metal icon
Read our five-star review of Ozzy's final performance
09:17 , Roisin O'ConnorMark Beaumont attended the mammoth 10-hour concert at Villa Park in Birmingham, where thousands of fans - along with legends of rock and metal - showed up to pay their respects to the Prince of Darkness, as he took his final bow.
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s farewell show was less Live Aid, more Loud Aid
Ozzy Osbourne's hearse arriving in Birmingham yesterday
09:00 , Kevin PerryKelly Osbourne remembers ‘one of the best Ozzy moments ever’ days after father’s death
08:30 , Shahana YasminOzzy Osbourne’s daughter Kelly remembered one of her favourite moments with her late father in the wake of his heartbreaking death.
The iconic rock vocalist and co-founder of heavy metal progenitors Black Sabbath died July 22 at the age of 76. He is survived by six children, including 40-year-old Kelly, whom he shared with his wife, British TV presenter Sharon.
Days after Osbourne’s death, Kelly shared a clip from his three-season reality series, Jack and Ozzy’s World Detour, to her Instagram Story.
“One of the best Ozzy moments ever!” she wrote above the video.
Ozzy Osbourne flung open hell’s musical gates – and changed the world
07:59 , Kevin PerryDon’t miss Mark Beaumont’s incisive tribute to the Prince of Darkness:
Ozzy Osbourne flung open hell’s musical gates – and changed the world
Osbourne family read tributes and salute fans at Ozzy funeral procession
07:30 , Shahana YasminOzzy Osbourne: ‘I will get back on stage if it f***ing kills me’
07:03 , Kevin PerryOn the final occasion that Osbourne spoke to The Independent, he spoke movingly of his determination to get back on stage one last time before his death:
Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I will get back on stage if it f***ing kills me’
Pictured: Fans gather to say goodbye to Ozzy Osbourne
06:30 , Shahana Yasmin
‘Ozzy Osbourne is Birmingham’ says fan who renamed pet Doggy Osbourne
06:00 , Kevin Perry‘Ozzy Osbourne was the best of us’: Thousands turn out in Birmingham to bid farewell to the prince of darkness
05:30 , Shahana YasminTo the thunderous sound of Black Sabbath and the chants of thousands of fans decked in purple and black, the father of heavy metal was laid to rest – in the city that made him, and that he never truly left behind.
Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral procession brought Birmingham to a standstill on Wednesday as admirers from across the generations gathered to bid farewell to one of its most iconic sons.
The hearse carrying the 76-year-old legend made its way from his childhood home in Aston to Broad Street, where fans stood shoulder to shoulder on the route, some having waited through the night to bid farewell to their hero.
‘There is only one Ozzy Osbourne’: Birmingham bids farewell to heavy metal icon
Ozzy Osbourne wanted his funeral to be ‘celebration, not a mope-fest’
05:02 , Kevin PerryThe notorious wildman also said he was keen for some pranks: ‘maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin’...
Ozzy Osbourne wanted his funeral to be ‘celebration, not a mope-fest’
Black Sabbath, Metallica and Elton John lead tributes to ‘unmatched showman’ Ozzy Osbourne
04:30 , Shahana YasminTributes from across the world poured in following the death of Ozzy Osbourne at 76, as fellow artists and fans remember the Black Sabbath frontman as a true pioneer who changed the face of music forever.
Together with Black Sabbath’s other three founding members, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, Osbourne rose to fame with early albums such as their self-titled debut in 1970, and their second album Paranoid, which featured classic tracks “Iron Man” and “War Pigs”.
Despite mixed responses from critics, Sabbath swiftly asserted themselves as one of the biggest bands of their generation, performing around the world and generating media hysteria due to their dark sound, ominous lyrics and Osbourne’s notorious antics.
The surviving Black Sabbath members honoured their late bandmate with a post on Instagram that simply said: “Ozzy forever.”
Black Sabbath and Metallica lead tributes to ‘unmatched showman’ Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne fans throw flowers at funeral hearse of Black Sabbath legend
04:00 , Kevin PerryWhat to know about Ozzy Osbourne’s rare form of Parkinson’s disease
03:00 , Kevin PerryOsbourne was diagnosed with genetic Parkinson’s disease more than 20 years ago:
What to know about Ozzy Osbourne’s rare form of Parkinson’s disease
How Ozzy Osbourne invented modern reality TV
02:00 , Kevin PerryThe Black Sabbath frontman became an unlikely television sensation in the 2000s, with an MTV reality show chronicling his family revealing him to be a funny, sweary, technology-challenged ‘teddy bear’. We look back on a series that forever changed pop culture:
How Ozzy Osbourne invented modern reality TV: ‘He was the one that took the risk’
‘I couldn’t live without her’: A timeline of ‘soulmates’ Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s relationship
01:00 , Kevin PerryThe Prince of Darkness first met his wife in 1970 when her father was Black Sabbath’s manager - my colleague Lydia tracks their relationship from the very beginning.
‘I couldn’t live without her’: A timeline of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s relationship
Black Sabbath, Metallica and Elton John lead tributes to ‘unmatched showman’ Ozzy Osbourne
Thursday 31 July 2025 00:00 , Kevin PerryRead the moving tributes from music giants including Metallica and Elton John following Ozzy’s death:
Black Sabbath and Metallica lead tributes to ‘unmatched showman’ Ozzy Osbourne
‘There will never be another Ozzy’: Readers mourn the one-of-a-kind Prince of Darkness
Wednesday 30 July 2025 23:00 , Kevin PerryOur community has paid heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, remembering him as an icon who defined heavy metal and touched countless lives.
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‘There will never be another Ozzy’: Readers pay tribute to metal legend
Newborn white rhino named after Osbourne
Wednesday 30 July 2025 22:01 , Kevin PerryA wildlife park has named a newborn southern white rhino after Ozzy Osbourne.
Ozzy the rhino was born the same day Osbourne died.
In a post announcing his birth, Safari West wrote: “Safari West is thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy male white rhino calf, born July 22—the same day the world said goodbye to music legend Ozzy Osbourne. This little one, named Ozzy, joins big brother Otto and proud mom Eesha in our ongoing conservation journey.”
The animal is now a week old, with the park writing in a recent update: “His mom and he are becoming much more active and visible, making this the perfect time to meet Ozzy and his mom and witness their heartwarming bond in person. Come visit us and get ready to fall in love!”
Metallica's Robert Trujillo reflects on time with Osbourne
Wednesday 30 July 2025 21:00 , Kevin Perry
Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo was among those who attended Osbourne’s funeral today.
Prior to the ceremony he posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing: “Sadly, we’re heading back to London today for Ozzy’s funeral. I just want to say…
“Ozzy was the conduit for so many new relationships both creative collaborations and real, lasting friendships.I mean, Joe Holmes is Lullah’s godfather, and Mike Bordin is Tye’s godfather both of those connections came directly from my friendship with Ozzy.
“Because of Oz, Infectious Grooves was able to tour back in ’91 as a brand-new band and at the time, it wasn’t even really a band, just some fun songs we had recorded. We weren’t ready to hit the road, but he made us step up and make it happen.
“He loved the song ‘Therapy,’ which he guest appeared on and that really kicked it all off for Infectious in the ’90s. He actually demanded we open for him on the ‘Theater of Madness’ tour.
“He’d say ‘I’m your best friend Rob, I fucking love the bass and the funkier and heavier the better!’ He was the gateway. Ozzy was a humble man and sometimes so honest it hurt but his sense of humor made everything absolutely amazing.
“Touring with Ozzy and Zakk was always a wild adventure. Those two together… it was a crazy, awesome rollercoaster.We’re all so thankful for his heart and soul.
“Ozzy and Black Sabbath were and still are the soundtrack to our lives. The inspiration they gave us is beyond words. The first real alternative rock band, in my opinion.
“Now it’s time to pay our respects, share our love, and offer our support to Sharon and the family. It’s heartbreaking but we know Ozzy gave us everything he had in his final days.
“I’m so honored that Lars, James, Kirk, and I (Metallica) got to celebrate with him, to share our music and Sabbath’s music on such a special day in Birmingham. Being part of that meant so much to us.
“Ozzy, RIP brother. We love you.”
Ozzy Osbourne said ‘best moment of his life’ was ‘meeting Sharon’
Wednesday 30 July 2025 20:31 , Roisin O'Connor
Ozzy Osbourne said meeting Sharon was the ‘best moment of his life’
Kelly Osbourne remembers ‘one of the best Ozzy moments ever’
Wednesday 30 July 2025 20:01 , Roisin O'Connor
Kelly Osbourne remembers ‘best Ozzy’ moment days after father’s death
Osbourne family read tributes and salute fans at Ozzy funeral procession
Thursday 31 July 2025 00:14 , Kevin PerryWhat to know about Ozzy Osbourne’s rare form of Parkinson’s disease
Wednesday 30 July 2025 19:31 , Roisin O'ConnorWhat to know about Ozzy Osbourne’s rare form of Parkinson’s disease
Photos from Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession
Wednesday 30 July 2025 19:01 , Roisin O'Connor
‘There will never be another Ozzy’: Readers mourn the one-of-a-kind Prince of Darkness
Wednesday 30 July 2025 18:29 , Roisin O'ConnorOur community has paid heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, remembering him as an icon who defined heavy metal and touched countless lives.
.png?trim=0,0,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
‘There will never be another Ozzy’: Readers pay tribute to metal legend
Emotional Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial ahead of husband’s funeral
Wednesday 30 July 2025 18:00 , Roisin O'Connor
Emotional Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial ahead of husband’s funeral
Ozzy Osbourne fan fights back tears after funeral procession
Wednesday 30 July 2025 17:30 , Kevin PerryDrake visited the Black Sabbath bridge shortly after Osbourne's
Wednesday 30 July 2025 17:15 , Greg EvansCanadian rapper Drake was one of the more unlikely faces to visit the Black Sabbath bridge in the past week and pay his respects to Osbourne.
The “Hotline Bling” star was on tour in Birmingham and reportedly paid a visit to the bench and bridge in the early hours of Wednesday (23 July).
He was spotted by New York Times reporter Alex Marshall, who witnessed the 38-year-old pour tequila over the bench for Osbourne. In a short statement to the newspaper, the star said: “I just came out to pay respects to someone who lived life to the fullest”.
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Wednesday 30 July 2025 17:00 , Roisin O'Connor
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"It was very special to be here" says Ozzy fan
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:45 , Press AssociationDianne Powell, from Cannock in Staffordshire, laid flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge after Osbourne’s hearse had left.
She said: “It was crammed in the crowd but really emotional. It’s just very sad, I watched him a lot on the TV.
“It was very special to be here. There will never be another Ozzy Osbourne.”
Black Sabbath, Metallica and Elton John lead tributes to ‘unmatched showman’ Ozzy Osbourne
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:31 , Roisin O'ConnorRead the moving tributes from music giants including Metallica and Elton John following Ozzy’s death:
Black Sabbath and Metallica lead tributes to ‘unmatched showman’ Ozzy Osbourne
‘There will never be another Ozzy Osbourne’ say fans gathering for rock star's funeral
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:15 , Lucy LeesonOzzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s historic farewell show was less Live Aid, more Loud Aid
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:02 , Roisin O'ConnorWith merging and collaborating metal acts swapping over on a revolving stage, the Black Sabbath farewell show was a fast-spinning Lazy Susan of metal history. Yet there was precious little ego and plenty of heartfelt humility, said critic Mark Beaumont in his five-star review.
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s farewell show was less Live Aid, more Loud Aid
Birmingham put on a ''fitting tribute to a legend,' says Lord Mayor
Wednesday 30 July 2025 15:57 , Press AssociationCouncillor Zafar Iqbal thanked Sharon Osbourne and the family for allowing the city to welcome the Black Sabbath singer back home for one final time.
He said: “It was very emotional and a great turnout with thousands of fans lining the streets. It was well organised, we looked after all the fans and I think it was a fitting tribute to a legend who was a Brummie through and through.
“Like his final gig, he came back home and we were proud to have him.
“I have been here since seven o’clock this morning talking to fans and the emotions were really high, people just loved Ozzy and you could really feel that when you were there.
“I think we should be a really proud city. I’m proud that we delivered one of the best send-offs I have seen in my time.”
People gather around tributes placed at the Black Sabbath Bridge
Wednesday 30 July 2025 15:52 , Greg Evans
New Ozzy Osbourne mural appears in Birmingham
Wednesday 30 July 2025 15:45 , Greg EvansA new mural celebrating Osbourne appeared in Birmingham ahead of Wednesday’s funeral service.
The artwork, which joins already existing murals on Navigation Street and Digbeth, is located on Granville Street.
'Forever Ozzy' signs hangs above Broad St honouring the icon
Wednesday 30 July 2025 15:38 , Greg EvansA large sign is on display over Birmingham’s Broad Street paying tribute to Osbourne. It reads: “Forever Ozzy. Birmingham will always love you.”
VIDEO: Ozzy’s most iconic moments on The Osbournes
Wednesday 30 July 2025 15:31 , Roisin O'Connor
Ozzy’s most iconic moments on The Osbournes as Black Sabbath star dies aged 76
Piers Morgan calls funeral scenes 'heartbreaking'
Wednesday 30 July 2025 15:20 , Greg EvansPiers Morgan, who has interviewed Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne several times throughout his career, called the scenes in Birmingham on Wednesday “heartbreaking”.
Reacting to the images from the funeral procession on X/Twitter, the broadcaster wrote: “I never knew a couple who loved each other more, despite everything life threw at them, or who better epitomised the ‘till death do us part’ of marriage. Sharon looks utterly bereft without her Ozzy. I feel so terribly sad for her.”
'It was a positive atmosphere and that’s what he wanted'
Wednesday 30 July 2025 15:16 , Roisin O'ConnorJames and Lizzi March-Bird, 39 and 42, are also Birmingham locals who had come to pay tribute. Asked how long he’d been a fan, James said: “Quite a few years now, he’s a city icon. You grow up here knowing who Black Sabbath are.” Lizzie added: “We wanted to come and pay our respects, let the family know that the city loves him.” Both had found the procession emotional, with James adding: “It was a positive atmosphere and that’s what he wanted.”
Flowers laid at Osbourne's childhood home
Wednesday 30 July 2025 15:12 , Greg EvansFlowers have been laid at the childhood home of the Black Sabbath frontman in Aston, Birmingham. The rocker spent the early years of his life in the house on Lodge Road.
‘I couldn’t live without her’: A timeline of ‘soulmates’ Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s relationship
Wednesday 30 July 2025 15:01 , Roisin O'ConnorThe Prince of Darkness first met his wife in 1970 when her father was Black Sabbath’s manager - my colleague Lydia tracks their relationship from the very beginning.
‘I couldn’t live without her’: A timeline of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s relationship
Ozzy's coffin travelled past his childhood home
Wednesday 30 July 2025 14:47 , Press AssociationThe hearse carrying Ozzy's coffin passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, at about 12.45pm on Wednesday on its route into Birmingham city centre.
Flowers have been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, 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 on Lodge Road, watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house.
The hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling out "Ozzy", then made its way down Broad Street before stopping at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers have been left.
‘There will never be another Ozzy Osbourne’: Fans gather for funeral of Black Sabbath legend
Wednesday 30 July 2025 14:31 , Roisin O'Connor
‘There’ll never be another Ozzy’: Fans gather for funeral of Black Sabbath legend
'I am so proud'
Wednesday 30 July 2025 14:16 , Roisin O'ConnorRichard Riot, 59, Nancy Davis, 28, and Jane Ashford, 57, are all Birmingham locals who are die hard Ozzy Osbourne fans.
“He was everything, he was just a normal guy who did really well in music. That says it all,” Richard said. “I was Monsters At Rock in ‘86, I’ve seen Ozzy live and from that moment his music was always there. I couldn’t not be here today, I’ve had to take a day off work.”
Asked how she found the procession, Jane said: “Emotional. It is the reality that he has gone. But his legend and everything that he represents for Birmingham and the rock world - and there are people here from around the world - will always represent the rock movement. I am so proud.”
Ozzy Osbourne said ‘best moment of his life’ was ‘meeting Sharon’
Wednesday 30 July 2025 14:14 , Roisin O'ConnorOzzy Osbourne said meeting Sharon was the ‘best moment of his life’
Ozzy Osbourne flung open hell’s musical gates – and changed the world
Wednesday 30 July 2025 14:01 , Roisin O'ConnorThe Black Sabbath frontman personified metal as a raving, hell-bound lunatic, fully devoted to the nightmarish conceit. He sang of black masses and apocalyptic iron men with genuine menace and soul-staring intensity, a wild-eyed wolfman with a liver of steel. Mark Beaumont pays his respects.
Ozzy Osbourne flung open hell’s musical gates – and changed the world
Emotional Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial ahead of husband’s funeral
Wednesday 30 July 2025 13:36 , Jacob StolworthySharon Osbourne was surrounded by her children as she laid flowers during a parade honouring her husband ahead of his funeral.
The TV personality looked visibly emotional as she arrived at the Black Sabbath bench in Birmingham where thousands of fans have been gathering to remember the heavy metal icon died last week, aged 76.
Sharon tearfully waved to fans who had queued for hours to say their final farewell to the music frontman, whose hearse travelled down Broad Street with family members following in cars behind.
Emotional Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial ahead of husband’s funeral
Photos of Ozzy's family and the funeral procession
Wednesday 30 July 2025 13:29 , Roisin O'Connor
'It's emotional. It's lovely to see fans of all ages here'
Wednesday 30 July 2025 13:28 , Holly EvansLucy Nicholson, 37, was left fighting back tears as the hearse made its way down the streets.
As a lifelong Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne fan, she travelled here today from Nottingham as it was “the final farewell”.
Asked how she found it, she said: “Emotional. It’s lovely to see all ages, fans from the very beginning and new fans.”
Such is her love for the band, after being unable to secure tickets to their final show, she travelled to Villa Park to sit outside and hear the music.
