The funeral cortege of Ozzy Osbourne will travel through Birmingham city centre on Wednesday. The Black Sabbath frontman's hearse will proceed along Broad Street to Black Sabbath Bridge at 1pm BST, where thousands of floral tributes have been left since his death last week at age 76.
Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal stated: “It was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.” The Osbourne family has covered all costs, with wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack expected to follow the procession before a private ceremony later in the day.
The local brass band Bostin Brass will provide music, while members of Black Sabbath and musician Yungblud are thought to be participating. Fans unable to attend can watch via a live stream of the Sabbath bench. Canadian star Drake, passing through on tour, was among those who visited Birmingham to pay respects.
In June, Osbourne and Black Sabbath received the Freedom of the City ahead of their Back to the Beginning gig, which raised over £140 million for children's and Parkinson's charities. Osbourne died at his home in Buckinghamshire 17 days after the performance, following a Parkinson's diagnosis in 2003.
Thousands are expected to attend; roads will close from 7am. A book of condolences remains open at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, where the exhibition 'Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero' is ongoing. Osbourne had once said he wanted his funeral to be “a celebration, not a mope-fest.”
