Ozzy Osbourne has been laid to his final rest, with fans from around the globe gathering in his hometown of Birmingham to bid farewell to the legendary Black Sabbath singer. The streets filled with emotion on Wednesday as a funeral cortege passed through the city ahead of a private family funeral. Among the many heartfelt moments, one detail stood out on Ozzy’s casket—dark purple flowers spelling out his name, a color long associated with the rock icon.
Nicknamed “The Prince of Darkness,” Ozzy passed away last week at the age of 76. His family shared the sad news, stating,
“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Tributes quickly poured in worldwide, with stars like Elton John and Rod Stewart honoring his legacy. Ozzy had battled health issues for decades, including a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2003 that he publicly revealed in 2019. Despite his struggles, he remained vocal about the disease and donated millions to charities supporting Parkinson’s research. Earlier this month, he performed a farewell concert in Birmingham with Black Sabbath, raising over £1 million for children’s causes and medical research.
On July 30, the city came together for a procession that traveled along Broad Street, stopping at the Black Sabbath Bridge and its commemorative bench, now covered with messages, flowers, and tributes. Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said,
“It was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.”
The Osbourne family personally covered all expenses for the cortege. As the brass band Bostin Brass played, the hearse paused at the bridge, where Sharon Osbourne and children Kelly, Jack, and Aimee were met with a sea of flowers. Sharon, overcome with grief, was comforted by Kelly as they read tributes to their beloved husband and father.
Ozzy and Sharon had shared more than four decades together. In 2022, Sharon reflected on their bond:
“Over 52 years we have been friends, lovers, husband and wife, grandparents, and soulmates.”
Ozzy once described Sharon as
“the only one I’ve ever loved in my life.”
Known for his dark aesthetic, Ozzy often favored the color purple, famously wearing purple glasses and performing covers like “Purple Haze.” This connection was honored at his final farewell, where alongside his casket, flowers in rich shades of purple spelled his name, and more blooms, arranged as a cross, adorned the roof of the hearse.
More than a decade before his passing, Ozzy spoke candidly about how he envisioned his funeral. Writing for The Times in 2011, he said:
“I honestly don’t care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and *We Are the Diddymen* if it makes ’em happy. But I do want to make sure it’s a celebration, not a mope-fest. 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.”
He added:
“It’s worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives. So by any measure, most of us in this country — especially rock stars like me — are very lucky. That’s why I don’t want my funeral to be sad. I want it to be a time to say thanks.”
Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell echoed his wishes—a celebration of life, filled with music, heartfelt goodbyes, and a city united in honor of the man who transformed heavy metal forever.
Rest in peace, Ozzy Osbourne. Share your memories of the Prince of Darkness in the comments and join others in paying tribute to a true legend.
