Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Birmingham will bid a heartfelt farewell to its beloved son, Ozzy Osbourne, the Black Sabbath frontman and heavy metal icon, with a public funeral cortège through the city’s heart. The Prince of Darkness, who passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, will be honored in a procession that reflects his larger-than-life legacy and the deep connection he shared with his hometown.
A Public Farewell Along Broad Street
The cortège will commence at 1:00 PM BST, traveling along Broad Street, a route steeped in Osbourne’s history. The hearse, carrying the rock legend’s body, will pause at the Black Sabbath bench and bridge—landmarks that have become shrines since his death, adorned with flowers, candles, and fan tributes. Accompanied by a live brass band from Bostin’ Brass, the procession will offer fans a final chance to pay their respects, echoing Osbourne’s wish for a celebration rather than a somber affair, as he once shared in a 2011 Sunday Times column.
Birmingham City Council, in coordination with the Osbourne family, has organized the event, with the family funding all costs. Road closures and diversions will be in place, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early via public transport. The city’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, emphasized, “Ozzy was more than a music legend—he was a son of Birmingham. This tribute reflects his impact and the love of his fans.”
A Private Family Farewell
Following the public procession, a private family funeral will take place, with no further details released. The Osbournes have requested privacy during this time, a sentiment reinforced by their statement on July 22: “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. He was with his family and surrounded by love.”
A Legacy Honored
Osbourne’s death, just weeks after his final performance at Villa Park on July 5, 2025, during the “Back to the Beginning” concert, has left a global void. The reunion with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, alongside performances by Metallica and Guns N’ Roses, marked a triumphant close to his career. Fans have since flocked to Birmingham, signing a condolence book at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and visiting the ongoing Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibition.
The Black Sabbath bench and bridge, already a pilgrimage site, will be livestreamed for those unable to attend CLICK HERE, ensuring Osbourne’s worldwide fanbase can join the tribute. This moment underscores his role as the godfather of heavy metal, a title earned through hits like “Paranoid” and “Crazy Train,” and his indelible mark on Birmingham as the “Home of Heavy Metal.”
This procession is more than a farewell—it’s a celebration of a life that defied odds, from Osbourne’s working-class roots in Aston to global stardom and a reality TV icon status. As fans gather, chants of “Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy Oy Oy Oy” will likely fill the air, mirroring the memorials of recent days. For Brummies and metalheads alike, it’s a chance to honor a legend who shaped a genre and a city.
Join the tribute tomorrow along Broad Street or online, and raise a glass to the Prince of Darkness, whose music and spirit will live forever.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Funeral Procession Tomorrow | Birmingham’s Tribute to the Prince of Darkness @RockNews
