Ozzy Osbourne funeral plans: Public procession planned Wednesday
Osbourne’s hometown will host a public procession on Wednesday to honor the Black Sabbath frontman.
BIRMINGHAM, UK — Fans of Ozzy Osbourne will get a chance to pay respects to the heavy metal icon before his family celebrates his life with a smaller, private funeral.
Osbourne’s hometown of Birmingham, UK, will host a public cortege procession Wednesday, July 30, as thousands of fans continue to gather near tributes honoring the Black Sabbath frontman who died July 22 at age 76.
The hearse and accompanying vehicles will travel down Broad Street beginning at 1 p.m. local time, proceeding to the Black Sabbath bridge and bench where fans have left flowers and messages since Osbourne’s death was announced. Local musicians will provide live musical accompaniment during the procession.
Osbourne’s family confirmed his death in a statement July 22, saying he passed away surrounded by family. No cause of death was disclosed. The rock legend, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, had performed what became his final concert July 5 at a Black Sabbath reunion show in Birmingham called “Back to the Beginning.”
“I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years,” Osbourne told the sold-out crowd at Villa Park, according to The Associated Press. “You have no idea how I feel — thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, said the public tribute reflects Osbourne’s deep connection to his hometown.
“Ozzy was more than a music legend — he was a son of Birmingham,” Iqbal said. “Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral.”
The Osbourne family is funding all costs associated with the public event, according to city officials. Broad Street will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. Wednesday, with buses and trams diverted during the procession.
Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates received Birmingham’s Freedom of the City honor June 28, recognizing their role in creating heavy metal music and representing their hometown throughout their careers.
The public tribute comes as fans remember Osbourne’s own wishes for his eventual funeral. In a 2011 newspaper column, the “Prince of Darkness” said he wanted his funeral to be “a celebration, not a mope-fest.”
“That’s why I don’t want my funeral to be sad. I want it to be a time to say ‘thanks,'” Osbourne wrote at the time.
Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon Osbourne, six children and 10 grandchildren. A private family funeral will follow the public tribute.
Officials encouraged fans attending Wednesday’s procession to arrive early, use public transport and follow safety guidance on site.