Hundreds of followers lined Broad Road in Birmingham, England, on Wednesday to say goodbye to rock icon Ozzy Osbourne throughout a funeral procession held for the Black Sabbath frontman, who died on July 22 on the age of 76.
Osbourne’s spouse of 43 years, Sharon, and two of his youngsters, Jack and Kelly, adopted the late rocker’s hearse in a automotive because it made its approach by means of the streets of Birmingham, the English metropolis the place he grew up and the place the band Black Sabbath was fashioned in 1968.
Followers chanted “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi!” because the hearse carrying Osbourne made its approach down Broad Road to the Black Sabbath bench, which was unveiled on the Broad Road canal bridge in 2019.
The household of Ozzy Osbourne (left to proper) Jack Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne attend the late rocker’s funeral on Broad Road in Birmingham, England.
Jacob King/PA Photographs through Getty Photographs
Six autos carrying the Osbourne household — who coated all prices for the procession — adopted the hearse. They acquired out of their autos to have a look at the goodbye messages left for Osbourne.
The hearse featured purple flowers spelling out “Ozzy” on high of his coffin, which might be seen by means of the window.
The household of Ozzy Osbourne seen the messages and floral tributes left on the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Road in Birmingham in reminiscence of the late Black Sabbath frontman. Osbourne’s physique was introduced again to his residence metropolis for a procession.
Joe Giddens/PA Photographs through Getty Photographs
Sharon, who was visibly emotional, leaned on Kelly and Jack for assist as she broke down in tears whereas she laid flowers down within the sea of tributes left for her late husband.
Sharon and Kelly Osbourne lay flowers on the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Road in Birmingham in reminiscence of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, as his physique is introduced again to his residence metropolis for a procession.
Joe Giddens/PA Photographs through Getty Photographs
The group chanted, “Sharon, Sharon, Sharon!” as she stood and admired the fan tributes.
Following carefully behind Sharon was the couple’s third daughter, Aimee, who isn’t seen, and Osbourne’s son Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley.
The spouse of Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, mourns throughout the funeral ceremony of her late husband in Birmingham on July 30, 2025.
Loannis Alexopoulos/Anadolu through Getty Photographs
The household spent a while on the bridge earlier than returning to the automobiles and shifting on with the procession. Followers in attendance threw flowers onto the funeral automobiles because the cortege continued to maneuver additional down Broad Road.
Get breaking Nationwide information
For information impacting Canada and around the globe, join breaking information alerts delivered on to you after they occur.
A personal funeral service is being held for the Osbourne household and shut associates later within the day at an undisclosed location.
Sharon Osbourne, spouse of Ozzy Osbourne, attends the late rocker’s funeral because the procession arrives on the Black Sabbath Bridge bench in Birmingham, England, on July 30, 2025.
Ioannis Alexopoulos/Anadolu through Getty Photographs
Big crowds started gathering alongside the route hours upfront of the procession that started at 1 p.m. native time.
The Jaguar hearse and 6 Mercedes automobiles have been accompanied by police bikes and a police automotive that drove slowly alongside the road.
Followers collect on Broad Road in Birmingham in reminiscence of former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, forward of his physique being introduced again to his residence metropolis for a procession following his demise final week, aged 76. Image date: July 30, 2025.
Jacob King/PA Photographs through Getty Photographs
The cortege was accompanied by a reside brass band efficiency — native musicians Bostin’ Brass — a last musical second to honour the legacy of Osbourne. The band performed a few of Osbourne’s hits, together with Iron Man.
The occasion drew giant crowds of followers as they gathered to say goodbye to “the person who helped form the worldwide heavy metallic style and who proudly carried the spirit of Birmingham all through his profession, while permitting his household an opportunity to see the numerous recollections of his loyal followers have left alongside flowers and tributes,” based on the press launch.
Birmingham Metropolis Council labored with companions over the weekend to coordinate the “respectful and secure public occasion” in collaboration with the Osbourne household, “who’ve kindly funded the entire related prices.”
Since Osbourne’s demise was introduced, followers have made pilgrimages to websites round Birmingham, which has embraced its fame because the birthplace of heavy metallic.
Floral tributes left on the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Road in Birmingham in reminiscence of former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne.
Joe Giddens/PA Photographs through Getty Photographs
“Ozzy was greater than a music legend — he was a son of Birmingham. Having not too long ago been awarded the Freedom of the Metropolis and following his celebrated look on the Again to the Starting live performance at Villa Park earlier this month, it was necessary to the town that we assist a becoming, dignified tribute forward of a personal household funeral,” Coun. Zafar Iqbal, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, mentioned in a press release.
“We all know how a lot this second will imply to his followers. We’re proud to host it right here along with his loving household within the place the place all of it started, and we’re grateful that they’ve generously provided to pay to allow this to occur and assist the town is giving him the farewell he deserves,” Iqbal added.
Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates, Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi and Invoice Ward, have been not too long ago awarded the Freedom of the Metropolis in recognition of their providers to Birmingham.
Simply over two weeks earlier than his demise, Osbourne delivered his final reside efficiency with the unique lineup of Black Sabbath at Villa Park soccer stadium of their residence metropolis of Birmingham, central England, on July 5.
The singer sang from a black throne that rose from underneath the stage.
“I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years. You haven’t any thought how I really feel — thanks from the underside of my coronary heart,” the Loopy Prepare singer mentioned. “You’re all … particular. Let’s go loopy, come on.”
Osbourne carried out a number of songs solo earlier than being joined onstage for the primary time in 20 years by his former Black Sabbath bandmates. The band ended a brief set with Paranoid, one in all its most well-known songs.
On July 22, his household introduced that Osbourne had died, saying, “It’s with extra unhappiness than mere phrases can convey that we now have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has handed away this morning. He was along with his household and surrounded by love. We ask everybody to respect our household privateness presently.”
He’s survived by his spouse, Sharon, and his six youngsters.
— With recordsdata from The Related Press
© 2025 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.