Ozzy Osbourne's Funeral Procession Set for Wednesday in Birmingham

By Orion Duarte

Jul 29, 2025

Ozzy Osbourne—Image: Reproduction / Instagram / Facebook

Summary

Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral procession will take place Wednesday in Birmingham, passing the Black Sabbath Bridge with live music and large crowds expected.
The Osbourne family is funding the public tribute, ahead of a private funeral, with support from city officials and local services.
A livestream, museum exhibit, and condolence book are available for those unable to attend in person.

A funeral procession for Ozzy Osbourne will take place in Birmingham, England, on Wednesday, July 30. The public will have a chance to say goodbye to the music icon as his cortège moves through the city he called home.

Starting at 1 p.m., the procession will travel along Broad Street, passing the Black Sabbath Bridge and memorial bench. That spot has become a gathering place for fans leaving messages, flowers, and other tributes since Ozzy’s passing.

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A live brass band, made up of local musicians from Bostin’ Brass, will perform during the event. The tribute aims to honor Ozzy’s influence on music and his connection to the city.

Road closures

Broad Street will be closed to traffic beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Bus and tram routes will be adjusted during the event. City officials advise people to use public transportation, arrive early, and follow all on-site safety instructions.

Stewards will be present to assist visitors, but local access to nearby areas might be limited.

Born in Aston, Birmingham in 1948, John Michael ‘Ozzy’ Osbourne was one of six children.

Ozzy Married Sharon in 1982; they had three children together: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack.

Before music, Ozzy worked odd jobs including construction and slaughterhouse work.

Ozzy’s family will attend the procession, which takes place ahead of a private funeral. The funeral’s time and location have not been shared.

In a statement, Birmingham Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal called Ozzy “a son of Birmingham.” He said the city wanted to help create a respectful farewell. “We know how much this moment will mean to his fans,” he said.

The Osbourne family has covered all costs for the public tribute. Birmingham City Council coordinated the event with help from local police, metro services, and area businesses.

Online and museum tributes

Fans who cannot attend in person can still take part online. A livestream of the Black Sabbath Bench will be available, and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has opened a book of condolence.

Visitors can also explore the museum’s exhibition, “Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero,” which highlights his solo career and legacy.

His own view on funerals

Ozzy once joked about how he wanted to be remembered. In a 2011 column for The Times of London, he said:

“I honestly don’t care what they play at my funeral… 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.”

Death and recent performance

Ozzy died on July 22, according to a statement from his family.

“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” the family said. “He was with his family and surrounded by love.”

No cause of death was given. In recent years, he faced several health issues, including Parkinson’s disease and injuries from a fall in 2019.

Only two weeks before his death, Ozzy performed his final show with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Birmingham. He played four songs with the band and a five-song solo set, seated in a bat-themed throne, for a live audience of 40,000 and over 5 million online viewers.

Musical legacy

Born and raised in Birmingham, Ozzy helped form Black Sabbath in 1968. The band became a major force in the rise of heavy metal, with more than 75 million albums sold globally. Their early sound influenced generations of rock and metal bands.

Ozzy also built a successful solo career. He received multiple Grammy Awards, including one in 1993 for “I Don’t Want to Change the World.”

In 2006, he and the original Black Sabbath members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also inducted as a solo artist in 2024.

Ozzfest and reality TV

Alongside his wife and manager Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy launched Ozzfest in 1996. The tour gave a stage to dozens of metal acts, including Pantera and Marilyn Manson.

Ozzy also reached new audiences with the reality TV show The Osbournes, which aired in the early 2000s and won an Emmy in 2002.

Survived by family

Ozzy is survived by Sharon, their three children (Jack, Kelly, and Aimee), and three children from his previous marriage, including one adopted son.

A city, a genre, and a generation say goodbye this week.

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