Ozzy Osbourne funeral latest – ‘private’ burial at home; star-studded Birmingham memorial; fans lining the streets
‘I definitely don’t want a happy song – I’m dead!’
24 Jul 2025, 11:12
Tags: Celebrity Deaths, Entertainment, Ozzy Osbourne
Heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne gave hints about plans for his funeral before he passed away aged 76. But now more details of what his final send-off could look like are emerging.
It was announced on Tuesday (July 22) that the Black Sabbath frontman had died. His death came weeks after his farewell gig in his home city of Birmingham. It was revealed that Ozzy – married to Sharon Osbourne for 43 years – was with his family and “surrounded by love” when he died.
No cause of death has been revealed as yet. But an air ambulance was sent to his home, with paramedics fighting to save him for two hours. Ozzy had struggled with his health in recent years. In 2020, the wild man rocker shared how he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
And his mortality was clearly on his mind, as he discussed plans for his funeral on several occasions…
Ozzy Osbourne funeral latest – home burial claims
Exact arrangements for laying Ozzy to rest have not been confirmed. But details are emerging that wife Sharon may opt for a home burial for her beloved husband.
According to the Mail, friends believe Sharon may now bury Ozzy in the garden of their 350-acre Buckinghamshire estate in an intimate family funeral. It comes amid concerns she is “too frail” to go through a larger, public service.
The pal claimed: “It’s a lovely house and Sharon wanted to bring him back from LA. I don’t know if she will feel strong enough to have a big memorial for all the people who want to say goodbye to him. We think she may want to bury him privately at home, in the garden.”
Birmingham memorial
Ahead of any smaller family funeral, though, plans for a bigger memorial service have been rumoured in Ozzy’s hometown of Birmingham.
It’s been claimed that a star-studded celebration of his life is being planned in the city. Yungblud, who performed at Ozzy’s farewell show, is among the names expected to be involved with the event.
An insider alleged to the Sun: “There are conversations about a celebration of his life in Birmingham, the city that meant so much to him. Artists like Yungblud, who was seen by Ozzy as a musician who could carry on the mantle of what he started all those years ago, is expected to have a role in it.”
They added that numerous celebrities will want to pay tribute, alongside many fans. The source added: “There are hundreds of big names who will want to pay their respects and celebrate his life and legacy. As well as thousands of fans who would line the streets to say goodbye.”
‘No harping on the bad times’
However, speaking to The Times in 2011, the Prince of Darkness opened up about his thoughts for how he might be remembered by his loved ones after he died.
He reportedly indicated at the time how he didn’t want his funeral to be a sad occasion. Instead, he hoped it would be an opportunity to ‘give thanks’.
There’ll be no harping on the bad times.
Ozzy is said to have told the broadsheet: “There’ll be no harping on the bad times.”
‘I don’t want my funeral to be sad’
Ozzy also recognised he had led a ‘privileged’ life thanks to his success in music and entertainment. And so he felt his own gratitude for his life should be marked in his send-off.
Ozzy went on at the time: “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’.”
What music will be played at Ozzy’s funeral?
Ozzy also joked he wasn’t fussed about what music might be played at his funeral.
“I honestly don’t care what they play at my funeral,” he reportedly joked. “They can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes them happy.”
However, Ozzy is said to have suggested in another interview in the following years that he might wish for a track by The Beatles to be played. He is said to have narrowed down possible song choices to A Day In The Life, the final track from 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
“I really need a few more years to think this over, but probably something from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or Revolver,” Ozzy mused to NME in 2016.
He added: “I definitely don’t want my [blank]ing greatest hits album. I never ever play that thing. I’m [blank]ing embarrassed about it. And I definitely don’t want a [blank]ing happy song. I’m dead.”
Read more: Ozzy Osbourne’s final wish granted by wife Sharon days before his death
