Ozzy Osbourne Honored with Procession in Birmingham Ahead of Private Family Funeral

Fans of Ozzy Osbourne will have one last chance to say goodbye to the rock icon before he’s laid to rest. Following the Black Sabbath frontman’s death on July 22 at age 75, the city of Birmingham, England—his birthplace and lifelong home—has announced a special public procession to honor the music legend.

A Final Tribute Through the Streets of Birmingham

On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council revealed plans for a farewell cortège to take place Wednesday afternoon, July 31. The procession will begin on Broad Street at 1 p.m., moving slowly toward the Black Sabbath Bridge, where thousands of fans have left flowers and handwritten tributes in the days since Ozzy’s death.

A live brass band performance by local musicians from Bostin’ Brass will accompany the hearse, creating one last musical moment to celebrate Ozzy’s life.

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“Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham,” said Councillor Zafar Iqbal, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. “It was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral.”

The tribute is being funded by the Osbourne family, with the city’s full support.

A Private Family Funeral in True Ozzy Fashion

After the public farewell, Ozzy Osbourne will be laid to rest in a private, intimate funeral attended only by close friends and family, including his wife Sharon Osbourne, and children Aimee, Jack, Kelly, Jessica, Elliot, and Louis.

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A source close to the family told People that the Osbournes are “very grateful” for the time they had with Ozzy before he passed, and they plan to celebrate his life as he would’ve wanted.

“Ozzy would never want a mope-fest,” the insider shared.

The family first confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement on July 22:

“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”

Ozzy’s Own Vision for His Funeral: “Not a Mope-Fest”

In a 2011 letter to The Times, Osbourne addressed his thoughts about planning his own funeral after being asked by a fan if it was morbid to do so.

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“I honestly don’t care what they play at my funeral,” he wrote. “They can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes ’em happy.”

True to his irreverent style, he added that he hoped his funeral would be more celebration than sorrow.

“I’d also like some pranks: maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin; or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of ‘death.’ There’ll be no harping on the bad times.”

“I want it to be a time to say ‘thanks.’”

Cameron’s Legacy: From Iron Man to Global Icon

Ozzy Osbourne rose from Birmingham’s industrial streets to become a global music legend, best known as the frontman of Black Sabbath and a pioneer of heavy metal. Despite long-term battles with Parkinson’s disease and various health setbacks, he continued performing until recently.

His final public performance took place July 5 in Birmingham at the 10-hour “Back to the Beginning” tribute concert hosted by Jason Momoa, which featured appearances from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Steven Tyler, Jack Black, and others.

Ozzy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003 but didn’t speak publicly about it until 2020, revealed in January that he could no longer walk, stating on his SiriusXM show Ozzy Speaks,

“I may be moaning about how I can’t walk, but I look down the road and there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me, and they didn’t make it.”

Sharon and Family Feel the Love

The outpouring of love from fans has deeply touched the Osbourne family. On Instagram, Sharon, 72, and their children have expressed gratitude for the tributes and condolences from around the world. Ozzy’s daughter Kelly and son Jack have also shared throwback photos and memories.

“Adam always finds a way to keep Cam’s memory alive,” Sharon wrote recently in response to tributes, referencing Adam Sandler’s memorial to the late Cameron Boyce — a reflection of how personal loss resonates across communities.

Final Word

Ozzy Osbourne’s passing marks the end of an era — but in keeping with the Prince of Darkness’s legacy, his farewell is anything but gloomy. With a brass band, a citywide procession, and an overwhelming show of public love, Birmingham is sending off one of its most beloved sons in a way that’s as unforgettable as the man himself.

Ozzy may be gone, but his music, mischief, and unmatched legacy will echo for generations to come.