A Final Farewell: Rock Royalty Gathers for Ozzy Osbourne’s Unforgettable Send-Off
It was a day shrouded in black, yet illuminated by the enduring spirit of a legend. This afternoon, the world of rock and roll paused as stars, led by Marilyn Manson, gathered to pay their final respects to the one and only Ozzy Osbourne. The iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, who left us at the age of 76 on July 22, was laid to rest in a deeply personal ceremony, just as he had always wished.
The somber yet uniquely rebellious gathering took place not in a public cemetery, but within the sprawling, familiar grounds of his Buckinghamshire mansion. It was here, in the heart of the 250-acre estate he called home, that the Prince of Darkness was buried, finding his final peace near a tranquil lake. His beloved wife, Sharon, 72, alongside their children, stood united in grief, supported by a veritable who’s who of heavy metal royalty.
Among those present to honor their friend and inspiration were Manson, accompanied by his wife Lindsay Usich, and Ozzy’s legendary lead guitarist, the formidable Zakk Wylde. The mood was solemn, but the attire was pure rock and roll. In a tribute befitting the man himself, guests embraced gothic and heavy metal fashion. Rob Zombie was seen wearing a scarf adorned with skulls, while Manson donned a striking long black jacket, a silent nod to the aesthetic Ozzy helped pioneer.
Perhaps the most poignant and perfectly Ozzy tribute of all was a massive floral arrangement set upon the grounds. Spelled out in giant letters for all to see, on the banks of the family’s lake, were the words: ‘OZZY F***ING OSBOURNE’. It was a bold, defiant, and affectionate statement, capturing the very essence of the man who never compromised.
@lilith_tenebrae1 🥹🦇 Ozzy Osbourne ha sido enterrado en su mansión de Buckinghamshire, Inglaterra, tras un funeral privado. A este evento privado se vio llegar a algunos de sus amigos más cercanos como Zakk Wylde, Marilyn Manson, Corey Taylor y Rob Zombie. #ozzyosbourne #blacksabbath #birmingham ♬ The Long And Winding Road – 2021 Mix – The Beatles
Another floral tribute spelling ‘Ozzy’, which had featured in yesterday’s public memorial procession, found a place of honor atop a fountain on the estate, a beautiful echo of the public’s love.
@you_me_and_ivie RIP Ozzy ❤️ #ozzyosbourne #ozzy #legend #blacksabbath #birmingham #ozzyfuneral #fyp ♬ Mama, I’m Coming Home – Ozzy Osbourne
Security was understandably tight, with bodyguards and dog handlers ensuring the family’s privacy as they mourned. Yet, even with the perimeter secured, devoted fans found a way to show their love, leaving flowers and heartfelt notes outside the gates for their fallen rock idol.
A Celebration, Not a Mope-Fest
Ozzy himself had been characteristically candid about his final wishes. Back in 2011, he told The Times he wanted his funeral to be “a celebration, not a mope-fest.” With his signature dark humor, he added, “I’d also like some pranks – maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin, or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of ‘death’.”
In his 2010 autobiography, I Am Ozzy, he wrote with touching clarity: “Eventually death will come, like it comes to everyone. I’ve said to Sharon: ‘Don’t cremate me, whatever you do.’ I want to be put in the ground, in a nice garden somewhere, with a tree planted over my head.” He even specified, “A crabapple tree, preferably, so the kids can make wine out of me and get p***ed out of their heads.”
A City’s Outpouring of Love
Before today’s private service, the public had its chance to say goodbye. On Wednesday, enormous crowds gathered for hours along a procession route in his hometown of Birmingham. The hearse, carrying a coffin adorned with purple flowers spelling his name, made a poignant journey past his childhood home on Lodge Road in Aston.
Thousands of fans, a sea of black shirts and heavy hearts, lined the streets and packed onto the aptly named Black Sabbath Bridge to witness the motorcade. It was a testament to the profound connection he maintained with the working-class city that forged him.
The tributes have been widespread and heartfelt. In London, the Coldstream Guards paid an astonishing tribute by performing their own rendition of “Paranoid” during the Changing of the Guard. In Birmingham, fans continue to leave messages and flowers at the Black Sabbath mural, while a book of condolences has been opened by the Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery, which is currently hosting an exhibition celebrating his life, titled Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero. Though the Prince of Darkness has been laid to rest, it’s clear his reign will never truly be over.