Funeral cortège planned for Black Sabbath's Ozzy Osbourne through the centre of Birmingham
The Black Sabbath frontman from Birmingham died aged 76 on the 22nd July, surrounded by his loved ones. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019.
The city's Lord Mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, made the announcement and the procession is expected to be attended by Ozzy's family.
It will be pausing at the Black Sabbath bench and bridge, at around 1pm as it makes its way along Broad Street to allow fans to pay their respects. The funeral service itself will be private.
The cortège will be accompanied by a live brass band performance by musicians from Bostin' Brass, bringing a final musical moment to honour the extraordinary life and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne.
A number of road closures will be in place around the city.
The cortège will travel down Broad Street from approximately 1pm towards the Black Sabbath Bridge.
Broad Street will be closed to through traffic from 7am and buses and trams will be diverted during this time. Local access will be managed where possible but can not be guaranteed. Broad Street will re-open as soon as possible after the event.
Stewards will be on hand, and visitors are encouraged to arrive early, use public transport, and follow safety guidance on site.
For those not able to make the occasion, the live stream of the Black Sabbath bench will continue to operate and is accessible from.
Cllr Iqbal 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. 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 is giving him the farewell he deserves.'
As frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene – a deeper, darker offshoot of hard rock.
His theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat, and styling himself as the "Prince of Darkness" marked him out as a controversial figure.
He was born John Michael Osbourne on 3 December, 1948 in Aston. He left school at 15 and did odd jobs including factory work before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands.
In July he bid a farewell to fans with a Black Sabbath reunion, telling thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park, Birmingham – a stone's throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he performed his last set from a large black throne.
When announcing his death his family said: '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 privacy at this time.'
Thousands of people have since signed a petition calling for the city's airport to be renamed in memory of the heavy metal legend.
Ozzy and his fellow Black Sabbath band members were recently given the Freedom of the City on June 28, 2025.
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