Ozzy Osbourne funeral plans REVEALED as Black Sabbath fans begin to line the streets to pay their respects
Ozzy Osbourne will take one final journey through his cherished hometown of Birmingham today as the legendary rocker is laid to rest.
The Black Sabbath star will receive a hero’s farewell in the city where his groundbreaking career began.
The heavy metal icon passed away last Tuesday at the age of 76, in his Buckinghamshire home that he shared with his wife, Sharon, 72.
Now, his family is giving the general public one final chance to say goodbye – here are the details.
The event is scheduled to begin at 1pm today, with Broad Street closed to traffic from 7am this morning.
The procession will pass the Black Sabbath bridge and commemorative bench, which is already adorned with hundreds of floral tributes.
Ozzy’s family, including his wife Sharon, will follow the hearse, accompanied by a live performance from local brass ensemble Bostin’ Brass.
Security will be present at the event as large numbers of people are expected to turn up.
People have been advised to travel via public transport if possible to avoid congestion caused by road closures.
Fans have already begun lining the streets to bid a final farewell to the heavy metal legend.
Many arrived in the early hours of the morning, bringing camping chairs, packed lunches, and adorned in concert memorabilia.
Former X-Factor judge Sharon has made the astonishingly generous decision to cover all costs of the procession, including security and stewards for the event.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE, JP, said: “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham.
“Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, 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.”
He added: “We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city in giving him the farewell he deserves.”
While fans have one last chance to say goodbye to the Paranoid singer later today, his family are due to have a private memorial for the star tomorrow.
The Mirror reports he will be buried in the grounds of the Osbourne’s family home in Buckinghamshire, after a closed church service in Gerrards Cross.
“Tomorrow they will have a closed service at a church in Gerrards Cross, Bucks,” a source told the Sun.
Singer and close friend, Yungblud, is expected to give a reading while Ozzy’s Black Sabbath bandmates, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler, are also set to attend.
“Elton John is also hoping to join the family at the church,” they added.
For those unable to attend the Birmingham procession in person, it has been confirmed that the live feed of the Black Sabbath bridge and bench will remain active throughout the event.
As the cortege passes through, fans watching from home might be able to catch a glimpse of the procession via the livestream. It can be found here, on their official website.
Fans were left heartbroken at the news of the singer’s passing, which was announced via social media last week.
It read: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis.”
The procession is expected to take a couple of hours, with the whole family in attendance.
GB News will continue to bring you all the latest images from Broad Street.