Thousands of devoted fans filled the streets of Birmingham on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, to bid farewell to the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, Ozzy Osbourne. The funeral procession through his home city was an emotional event, with his wife, Sharon Osbourne, visibly heartbroken as she and her family paid tribute to the iconic singer. Osbourne passed away last week at the age of 76.
The hearse carrying Osbourne's coffin made its way through the city center, eventually stopping at "Black Sabbath Bridge," a canal bridge named in honor of the band. This bridge features a bench adorned with life-size cutouts of the band's founding members: Ozzy Osbourne, Terry "Geezer" Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward. Family members, including Sharon and the couple's children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, laid roses among the hundreds of tributes left by fans. Sharon, deeply moved, was supported by her children as she tearfully took in the outpouring of love and respect, offering a peace sign to the crowd before departing. Some of Osbourne's grandchildren were also present, waving to the crowds.
The funeral cortege began its journey in Aston, passing Osbourne's childhood home on Lodge Road and Villa Park, the football stadium where he recently performed a farewell concert with Black Sabbath. People leaned out of windows and climbed on bus stops to catch a glimpse of the procession. Fans chanted Osbourne's name, made rock hand gestures, and threw roses at the hearse, which was adorned with purple flowers spelling out "Ozzy". A local brass band, Bostin Brass, played Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" and other songs.
Ozzy Osbourne had previously expressed his wishes for his funeral to be a "celebration, not a mope-fest". Will Howell, an 18-year-old student, described Osbourne as "a legend" and felt it was important to "say goodbye to him". The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, stated that "Ozzy was more than a music legend — he was a son of Birmingham". Iqbal also said it was important for the city to host a "fitting, dignified tribute" to the rocker before the private family funeral.
Graham Croucher, a 58-year-old train driver, told Reuters that Osbourne's music was the soundtrack to his life. "He dared to be different because he was different," Croucher said. "And I think we're celebrating that as well because he was different. And I think we can all see so much of ourselves in Ozzy, but he could do it. He could get away with it".
For those unable to attend the procession in Birmingham, a livestream of the Black Sabbath Bridge was available. Following the public farewell, a private service was held on Wednesday afternoon. Each family member carried a pink rose wrapped in black paper and tied with a purple ribbon, the traditional Black Sabbath colors. Flowers spelling his name in purple adorned the hearse. Chris Mason, general manager of The Brasshouse pub near Black Sabbath Bridge, noted that music by Black Sabbath and Ozzy's solo work had been played "on loop" since his death.
