Ozzy Osbourne will be honored with historic funeral procession
The world of heavy metal prepares to say farewell to one of its founding titans. Ozzy Osbourne, the indomitable voice of Black Sabbath and the unrepentant face of metal’s wildest excesses, will be honored this Wednesday, July 30, in a public funeral procession through his hometown of Birmingham, England. The legendary vocalist passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, just weeks after his emotional final performance with Black Sabbath at the Back to the Beginning festival.
The Osbourne family has planned a private funeral, respecting Ozzy’s wish to avoid what he once called a “mope-fest.” However, fans will have a chance to pay their respects during a public procession that will start at 1 p.m. BST, moving through Broad Street, with a ceremonial pause at the Black Sabbath Bridge and his commemorative bench. The event will include live music by Bostin Brass, and appearances from Black Sabbath members and artists influenced by Ozzy’s legacy, such as Yungblud.
Security preparations are underway, with road closures beginning at 7 a.m., and a livestream is expected to be broadcast globally. Ozzy’s death has sparked a global wave of tributes, from underground black metal scenes to mainstream pop figures, each recognizing the shadow he cast across the industry.
Behind the scenes, Sharon Osbourne and children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack are privately mourning, with sources close to the family describing the atmosphere as “devastated but grateful” for the outpouring of love. Plans are also underway for a permanent memorial installation in Birmingham, and a potential posthumous documentary covering his final years and farewell show.
Ozzy Osbourne did not just front a band. He defined a genre, survived more than a lifetime’s worth of chaos, and gave millions of outsiders a voice, a howl, and a home. As the procession winds through the streets of Birmingham, it won’t just be a goodbye. It will be a rite of passage for a culture he helped build, chaotic, defiant, and unforgettably human.
