On Thursday, July 31st, the Osbourne family laid their beloved patriarch, Ozzy Osbourne, to rest in a deeply emotional and private ceremony held at their Buckinghamshire estate. It was a farewell that honored the heavy metal legend’s final wish—to be buried at home beside the lake he adored. The setting was peaceful, the mood somber yet reverent, as those closest to the rock icon gathered for one last goodbye, surrounded by the quiet beauty of his favorite place.
In stark contrast to Wednesday’s massive public tribute in Birmingham—which drew thousands of fans, streets lined with supporters, and floral tributes stacked high across Black Sabbath Bridge—this private ceremony was an intimate affair, grounded in love and remembrance. Rock legends and longtime friends came together, not as celebrities, but as mourners and supporters, joining the family in a quiet act of farewell.
Among the first to arrive was Ozzy’s loyal friend and guitarist, Zakk Wylde, carrying a guitar case as he stepped through the gates of the estate. He was followed by a procession of musical royalty, including Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, all dressed in black and keeping a low profile out of respect. “Everyone at the service just wanted to be there for Sharon and the kids,” one insider shared.
Guests were transported from a nearby countryside hotel under tight security. They traveled down narrow country roads to reach the sprawling 250-acre property in Gerrards Cross, which the Osbournes had called home since 1993. There, in the heart of the estate’s gardens, marquees were set up and generators powered catering stations. Near the lake, a performance stage stood ready—an appropriate tribute for a man whose life was defined by music and theatricality.
Despite light rain falling throughout the day, attendees gathered under tents, raised glasses, and shared stories about the man they knew as the Prince of Darkness. British singer Yungblud, who had grown close to Ozzy in recent years, was among those who paid tribute. “Toasts were made, memories were shared. It was heartfelt and fitting,” one guest recalled.
The guest list read like a roll call of rock royalty. Corey Taylor of Slipknot arrived with his wife, Alicia Dove. Irish actor Stephen Rea was spotted among the crowd, and many guests dressed in gothic or metal-inspired outfits, honoring the unique style Ozzy championed throughout his life. James Hetfield of Metallica, Elton John, and Ozzy’s original Black Sabbath bandmates—Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward—were also in attendance, offering not only their presence but their enduring support for the family.
“Ozzy always said he wanted to be laid to rest at home,” a family friend added. “He’s now buried at a peaceful spot by the lake, exactly as he wanted.” That quiet, personal moment stood in contrast to the two-day farewell that began in Birmingham, the city where Ozzy’s legendary journey began.
On Wednesday, thousands flooded Broad Street in Birmingham to pay their respects during a public procession. A brass band played classic Black Sabbath hits like “Iron Man” as the hearse passed significant landmarks from Ozzy’s life—including his childhood home and the now-iconic Black Sabbath Bridge and memorial bench. Fans erupted in chants of “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!” as the Osbourne family—Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis—walked arm in arm, tears in their eyes, placing purple flowers among the sea of tributes.
Kelly wore her father’s signature purple-tinted sunglasses, a poignant reminder of his unmistakable style. Sharon, overcome with emotion, laid a single pink rose wrapped in black on the memorial. Jack and Kelly flanked their mother throughout the day, offering strength and support. Even the often-private Aimee stood quietly alongside her family. At one point, Sharon raised her hand in a peace sign toward the crowd, visibly touched by the outpouring of love.
Ozzy’s final farewell to fans came not in silence, but in song. Just weeks before his passing, he performed his last concert at Villa Park stadium in Birmingham. The show, aptly named Back to the Beginning, was attended by over 40,000 fans and marked a full-circle moment for the rocker. During the performance, Ozzy reunited with his original bandmates and took a moment to express his heartfelt gratitude. “You’ve no idea how I feel—thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he told the crowd before fireworks lit up the night sky and the words “Birmingham Forever” flashed across the screen.
His final years were not easy. Ozzy had battled serious health issues, including a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2019. Despite his challenges, he never stopped performing, never gave up on connecting with his fans. He made his last show count, delivering one final, thunderous thank you to the community that helped shape him.
Throughout his life, Ozzy made it known that he didn’t want a somber farewell. He wanted his funeral to be a celebration of life. “I want to make sure it’s a celebration, not a mope-fest,” he told The Times in a 2011 interview. “I’d also like some pranks—maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin, or a video of me asking the doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of ‘death.’”
In his autobiography I Am Ozzy, he went even further: “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. A crabapple tree, preferably, so the kids can make wine out of me and get pissed out of their heads.”
True to his wishes, Ozzy Osbourne now rests beneath the English sky, beside a tranquil lake, surrounded by the music, memories, and people he loved most. It was a goodbye rooted in family, friendship, and legacy—a final act as theatrical and unforgettable as the man himself.