“I DIDN’T THINK I’D EVER SAY THIS IN PUBLIC…” – JACK OSBOURNE’S EULOGY AT OZZY’S FUNERAL MOVES ALL
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
On July 30, 2025, Birmingham, England, resonated 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, alive with brass band renditions of “Paranoid” and “Iron Man,” celebrated Ozzy’s vibrant legacy through his hometown streets. However, it was during the private funeral at St. Philip’s Cathedral that a moment of profound intimacy unfolded. Jack Osbourne, known for his stoic demeanor, delivered an unexpected eulogy that began with the words, “I didn’t think I’d ever say this in public…” His raw, heartfelt words left Sharon Osbourne in tears, the congregation in stunned silence, and revealed a side of Ozzy that few had seen, cementing his legacy as a father and icon.
A Vibrant Farewell in Birmingham
The public procession was a fitting tribute to Ozzy’s wish for a joyous send-off, as he expressed in a 2013 Rolling Stone interview: “No tears, just tunes and a good time.” A hearse, adorned with a purple floral cross spelling “Ozzy,” wound through Birmingham, pausing at his childhood home on Lodge Road and the Black Sabbath Bridge, where fans left tributes, bat-shaped balloons, and nods to the 1982 bat-biting incident. Sharon, 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 spirit. The performance, livestreamed to millions, set the tone for a procession that balanced celebration and sorrow.
The Private Funeral
The private funeral at St. Philip’s Cathedral was an intimate affair, 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 emotional tributes. Sharon spoke of Ozzy’s journey from Birmingham’s working-class roots to global stardom, his battles with addiction, and his love for his family. Kelly shared memories of their duet “Changes,” a 2003 UK hit, bringing warmth to the somber mood.
As the service progressed, Jack, typically reserved, took the podium. Known for his work with Ozzy on Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour and his quieter presence compared to Kelly’s public persona, his decision to speak surprised many. “I didn’t think I’d ever say this in public…” he began, his voice steady but heavy with emotion, “but Dad was my hero, my mess, and my best friend.” The congregation fell silent, hanging on his every word.
Jack’s Unexpected Eulogy
Jack’s eulogy was a raw, unfiltered reflection on his father’s life, revealing a deeply personal side of Ozzy. He spoke of Ozzy’s struggles with addiction, including the 1989 incident when Ozzy was arrested for attempting to harm Sharon while intoxicated, and how those moments shaped their family. “Dad wasn’t perfect,” Jack said, “but he taught me that love means showing up, even when you’ve fallen.” He recounted private moments, like late-night talks during the No More Tears tour in 1992, when Ozzy, sober and reflective, promised Jack he’d always fight to be there for him.
Jack shared a story never told publicly: in 2003, after Ozzy’s near-fatal quad bike accident and Parkinson’s diagnosis, he wrote Jack a letter, apologizing for the years lost to addiction and vowing to be a better father. “He kept that promise,” Jack said, his voice breaking. “He was at my wedding, my kids’ births, every step, even when he could barely walk.” The letter, which Jack held up, ended with Ozzy’s words: “Jack, you’re my strength. Keep the fire burning.”
The eulogy’s most poignant moment came when Jack addressed Sharon. “Mum, Dad told me in that letter you were his reason to live. He said you saved him, and you saved us all.” Sharon, seated in the front pew, burst into tears, clutching Kelly’s hand. The congregation, including Iommi and Butler, was visibly moved, with Halford later telling Kerrang!, “Jack’s words were like Ozzy singing one last song—raw, real, and unforgettable.”
Jack concluded by speaking to Ozzy’s grandchildren, including his own son, saying, “Grandfather’s fire is in you now. Carry it.” He placed a small bat-shaped pendant, a replica of Ozzy’s stage jewelry, beside the coffin, symbolizing the passing of his legacy. The silence that followed was profound, broken only by soft sobs and the faint hum of “Crazy Train” playing outside.
A Life of Chaos and Love
Ozzy’s journey from a Birmingham factory worker to a heavy metal icon was marked by triumphs and trials. With Black Sabbath, he sold over 100 million records, defining a genre with albums like Master of Reality. His solo career, guided by Sharon, soared with Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. The Osbournes (2002–2005) revealed his quirky charm, while Ozzfest showcased new talent. Despite a 2003 Parkinson’s diagnosis, a 2019 spinal injury, and addiction struggles, Ozzy’s love for Sharon and their children—Kelly, Jack, Aimee, Jessica, Louis, and adopted son Elliot—remained his core. “Sharon’s my soul,” he told The Guardian in 2010, a sentiment Jack’s eulogy echoed.
Kelly, posting on Instagram, shared a snippet of Jack’s speech: “Jack said what we all felt. Dad was our hero, flaws and all.” Sharon, in a Sky News interview, said, “Jack’s words broke me, but they healed me too. Ozzy would be so proud.” Fans, inspired by the eulogy, left letters and pendants at the Black Sabbath Bridge, with messages like “Ozzy’s Fire Lives On.”
A Legacy That Burns Bright
Jack’s eulogy transformed the funeral into a celebration of Ozzy’s humanity and love. Birmingham Airport announced plans for a tribute mural, 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. The pendant by the coffin, a symbol of Ozzy’s stage presence, was later given to Jack’s son, a promise kept across generations.
Sharon, holding the 2003 letter, told People, “Jack showed the world who Ozzy really was—a father, a fighter, a friend.” The eulogy, raw and unexpected, was Ozzy’s final encore through his son’s voice, a testament to a bond forged in chaos and love. As Jack said, “Dad’s fire is still burning, in us, in you.” In Birmingham and beyond, Ozzy’s legacy endures, carried forward by a son’s words and a family’s love.
