The TV star wiped her eyes as the devastated family laid flowers at a memorial
KELLY Osbourne was in tears as she hugged her family and laid a flower at a memorial to her late dad Ozzy.
The TV star, 40, wiped her eyes as she stepped out to salute the crowd of fans who had gathered for the funeral procession in Birmingham.
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Jack and Kelly embraced each other during the touching processionCredit: PA
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Ozzy’s hearse weaved its way through the streets of Birmingham in front of thousands of fans who had come to pay tributeCredit: Alamy
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Sharon Osbourne, her daughter Kelly and son Jack at today’s funeral processionCredit: Reuters
The Black Sabbath lead singer passed away at the age of 76 last Tuesday, with today’s procession coming before his full funeral ceremony tomorrow.
Kelly could be seen comforting mum Sharon, 72, as the tearful family laid flowers at a memorial.
Sharon was also supported by son Jack, 39, and daughter Aimee, 41, as well as Ozzy’s son Louis, 50, as the family followed behind the music legend’s hearse through the streets of Birmingham.
Thousands of fans lined the streets for the funeral procession, many of whom donned Black Sabbath gear and memorabilia dedicated to Ozzy.
In touching scenes, Sharon, aided by Kelly to her left and Jack to her right, slowly walked towards the memorial created by fans at Black Sabbath Bridge.
Kelly hugged and comforted her mum as she fought back tears of her own.
Tearfully, she waved to the crowds before also embracing brother Jack.
Kelly was supported by fiance Sid Wilson, who proposed to her backstage at Ozzy’s final gig in the city earlier this month.
The rock legend witnessed the sweet proposal just 17 days before his death.
As his funeral procession made its way through the city, fans could be heard shouting: “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy”.
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A visibly emotional Sharon could also be seen hugging the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal after she arrived at the Black Sabbath bench where floral tributes were laid.
The hearse carrying Ozzy’s coffin passed the rock star’s childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, at about 12.45pm on its route into Birmingham city centre.
Flowers were placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, while the owners of the house put up a picture of Osbourne in the front bay window.
The Jaguar hearse and six Mercedes funeral cars, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a cop car, drove slowly along Lodge Road, watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house.
The hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling out “Ozzy”, then made its way down Broad Street before stopping at the Black Sabbath bench.
Musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs to accompany the cortege.
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A tearful Kelly comforting her mum Sharon as they paid tribute to Ozzy OsbourneCredit: PA
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Crowds had gathered at the Black Sabbath Bridge, named in honour of the iconic bandCredit: Reuters
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The family lay flowers at the memorial in the centre of the cityCredit: Getty
“THIS BELONGS TO ME… AND GRANDFATHER” – JACK OSBOURNE’S EMOTIONAL GIFT TO HIS SON AT OZZY’S FUNERAL
On July 30, 2025, Birmingham, England, came alive with the spirit of Ozzy Osbourne as thousands gathered to honor the Black Sabbath legend, who passed away on July 22, 2025, at 76. The funeral procession, filled with brass band renditions of “Paranoid” and “Crazy Train,” was a vibrant celebration of Ozzy’s legacy, weaving through his hometown streets. Yet, it was during the private funeral at St. Philip’s Cathedral that a deeply personal moment unfolded, capturing the hearts of those present. As Jack Osbourne approached his father’s coffin, he handed his young son a silver stage cross necklace, worn by Ozzy during his iconic performances. “This belongs to me… and Grandfather,” Jack said softly. The inscription on the back, revealed later, hinted at a promise Ozzy made 33 years ago, leaving the congregation in awe and tears.
A Birmingham Farewell
The public procession was a testament to Ozzy’s wish for a lively send-off, as he told Rolling Stone in 2013: “I want a party, not a wake. Play Sabbath, have a laugh.” A hearse, adorned with a purple floral cross spelling “Ozzy,” passed his childhood home on Lodge Road and the Black Sabbath Bridge, where fans left tributes, bat-shaped balloons, and references to the 1982 bat-biting incident. Sharon Osbourne, joined by children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, Louis, and Jessica, laid a pink rose at the Black Sabbath Bench, as fans chanted “Ozzy! Ozzy!” and “We love you, Sharon!” Organized with Birmingham City Council, the event honored Ozzy’s recent Freedom of the City award.
The cortege paused at Villa Park, where Ozzy’s final concert on July 5, 2025, saw him perform “Mama, I’m Coming Home” from a throne, his Parkinson’s and 2019 spinal injury limiting his mobility but not his passion. The performance, livestreamed to millions, set the tone for a procession that blended joy and sorrow, reflecting Ozzy’s enduring spirit.
The Private Funeral
The private funeral at St. Philip’s Cathedral was an intimate gathering, attended by Sharon, Kelly, Jack, Aimee, Louis, Jessica, Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, and close friends like Rob Halford. The cathedral, draped in purple and black, hosted heartfelt eulogies. Sharon spoke of Ozzy’s rise from Birmingham’s streets to global stardom, his battles with addiction, and his love for his family. Kelly shared memories of their duet “Changes,” a 2003 UK hit, while Jack recalled filming Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour, bringing warmth to the somber mood.
As the service neared its end, Jack approached the coffin with his young son, Ozzy’s grandson, by his side. Holding a silver stage cross necklace—a signature piece Ozzy wore during his Blizzard of Ozz and No More Tears tours—Jack knelt and placed it around his son’s neck. “This belongs to me… and Grandfather,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. The congregation watched in silence, moved by the gesture, unaware of the deeper significance about to be revealed.
The Inscription’s Promise
Later, as the family gathered at Welders House, their Buckinghamshire estate, Jack examined the necklace more closely. On the back, etched in fine script, was an inscription: “To my family, pass it on. Keep the fire burning. – Ozzy, ‘92.” The date, 1992, marked the release of No More Tears, a pivotal album in Ozzy’s solo career, and a time when he briefly announced his retirement, only to return with renewed vigor. The inscription hinted at a promise Ozzy made to Jack, then a child, during a late-night conversation after a show. Jack later told Billboard, “Dad said he’d pass this necklace to me one day, for my kids, to keep his spirit alive. I thought he was joking.”
The promise, made 33 years ago, was a vow to ensure his legacy lived on through his family. The necklace, a symbol of Ozzy’s stage presence, was worn during his most iconic performances, including the 1980 Blizzard of Ozz tour and the 1992 No More Tours shows. Its weight carried memories of Ozzy’s resilience, from his firing from Black Sabbath in 1979 to his triumphant solo career, guided by Sharon. The inscription’s call to “keep the fire burning” echoed Ozzy’s passion for music and life, a message he reiterated in his final concert at Villa Park.
Sharon, seeing the necklace on her grandson, broke down, telling People, “Ozzy kept his word. He’s still here, in that cross, in us.” Kelly, who had a similar moment gifting her son Sidney a necklace from Ozzy’s final tour, posted on Instagram: “Dad’s fire burns in our kids now. This necklace is his heartbeat.” The congregation, including Tony Iommi, was moved, with Iommi later telling Kerrang!, “It’s Ozzy’s way of taking the stage forever.”
A Life of Fire and Love
Ozzy’s journey was one of chaos, triumph, and redemption. With Black Sabbath, he pioneered heavy metal, selling over 100 million records with albums like Paranoid and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. His solo career, bolstered by Sharon’s management, soared with Diary of a Madman and Bark at the Moon. Despite battles with addiction, a 2003 Parkinson’s diagnosis, and a 2019 fall that aggravated a spinal injury, Ozzy’s love for Sharon and their children—Kelly, Jack, Aimee, Jessica, Louis, and adopted son Elliot—remained his anchor. A 1989 incident, where he was arrested for attempting to harm Sharon while intoxicated, tested their bond, but her forgiveness and his rehab efforts strengthened their love, which he called “my lifeline” in a 2010 The Independent interview.
The necklace’s inscription was a testament to that love and legacy. Jack’s son, wearing the cross, became a living link to Ozzy’s spirit, a promise fulfilled across generations. Aimee, present despite her private nature, joined her siblings in tears, while Louis and Jessica marveled at their father’s foresight.
A Legacy Passed On
The necklace’s gift transformed the funeral into a celebration of Ozzy’s enduring presence. Fans, inspired by the story, left silver crosses and notes at the Black Sabbath Bridge, with messages like “Keep the Fire Burning” and “Ozzy Forever.” Birmingham Airport announced plans for a tribute sculpture, while Ozzy’s memoir Last Rites (set for release October 7, 2025) and a 2026 concert film of his final Villa Park performance will immortalize his legacy.
Sharon, holding her grandson’s hand as he wore the necklace, told Sky News, “This cross is Ozzy’s promise, kept for his family, for his fans.” Jack, reflecting on the moment, said, “Dad gave me this to pass on. It’s not just a necklace—it’s him.” The inscription, a vow from 1992, ensured Ozzy’s fire would burn on through his grandson, a final encore from the Prince of Darkness. In Birmingham and beyond, Ozzy’s legacy of music, love, and promises endures, shining through a silver cross.
