BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS ANNOUNCED FOR LATE OZZY OSBOURNE: FANS TO PAY FINAL RESPECTS IN HISTORIC CEREMONY. The Prince of Darkness, known for redefining heavy metal and leaving an indelible mark on music and culture, will be laid to rest in a ceremony as…
Burial arrangements have been officially announced for legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, 2025, just 17 days after his final performance in Birmingham. The Prince of Darkness, known for redefining heavy metal and leaving an indelible mark on music and culture, will be laid to rest in a ceremony as unforgettable as his life.
According to a joint statement released by his family and longtime management team, Ozzy’s burial will take place on Saturday, July 26, in his hometown of Birmingham, England, following a public memorial service at St. Martin in the Bull Ring, one of the city’s oldest and most iconic churches.
A Send-Off Fit for the Godfather of Metal
The service, which is expected to draw thousands of fans, friends, and fellow musicians from around the globe, will be open to the public, with a live video feed projected onto screens outside the church for those unable to fit inside. The interior service will feature readings by his children—Kelly, Jack, and Aimee—as well as performances of Ozzy’s most beloved songs, performed by musicians he considered family.
Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—the original Black Sabbath lineup—are all expected to attend, with Iommi reportedly preparing a eulogy. Longtime collaborators like Zakk Wylde, Slash, and Robert Trujillo are also said to be involved in planning the tribute.
A special candlelit version of “See You on the Other Side” is set to close the ceremony, performed by an all-star band assembled by Sharon Osbourne herself. Sources say she wanted the performance to feel “like Ozzy was in the room, smiling, cackling, and throwing the horns.”
Final Resting Place: “Where It All Began”
After the public service, a private family burial will take place at Witton Cemetery, just outside central Birmingham. It’s a location chosen by Ozzy himself years ago—close to Aston, where he was born and raised, and where he famously met Tony Iommi, launching the band that would become Black Sabbath.
“Ozzy always said he wanted to return to his roots,” said Sharon Osbourne in a brief statement. “Not in Hollywood, not in some grand mausoleum—but in the city where a poor working-class boy with a stutter and no prospects became a voice for millions.”
His headstone will be crafted from black granite, inscribed simply:
OZZY OSBOURNE
1948 – 2025
“I’m going off the rails on a crazy train.”
Fans will be allowed to visit the site starting later in August once the Osbourne family finalizes landscaping and memorial features, including a bench, a small bronze bat statue (a cheeky nod to Ozzy’s infamous stage moment), and a plaque bearing his lyrics.
Worldwide Tributes Planned
Across the globe, tributes continue to pour in. Wembley Arena will host an all-star tribute concert in September titled “Iron Man: A Celebration of Ozzy Osbourne”, featuring artists from every generation of rock and metal. Proceeds will benefit Parkinson’s disease research and youth music education—two causes close to Ozzy’s heart.
Meanwhile, fans have organized a candlelight vigil on July 25 in Birmingham’s Victoria Square, where thousands are expected to gather and sing “Mama, I’m Coming Home” together.
In Los Angeles, where Ozzy spent much of his life with Sharon and their children, the iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery will host a midnight screening of “The Osbournes,” followed by a laser-light tribute concert at the Hollywood Bowl.
A Legacy That Can’t Be Buried
Ozzy’s death may have closed the book on a five-decade-long saga of music, madness, and survival—but his spirit is far from gone. From Black Sabbath to Blizzard of Ozz, from biting the head off a bat to starring in a reality TV show that redefined celebrity culture, Ozzy lived out loud, full throttle, and always unapologetically.
“He told me years ago, ‘When I go, don’t mourn me. Crank it up,’” said Zakk Wylde in an interview. “So that’s what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna crank it up—for the rest of our lives.”
As the world prepares to say goodbye to one of its loudest and most beloved voices, one thing is certain: Ozzy Osbourne may be gone, but his scream will echo forever.
Rest in power, Prince of Darkness.
