The morning began in the hush of St. Marylebone Parish Church in London. The historic stone walls, which had seen centuries of joy and sorrow, now bore witness to a private gathering of those who knew Ozzy best. Sharon Osbourne, his wife of more than four decades, walked arm in arm with their children—Amy, Kelly, and Jack—into the sanctuary. The family was joined by close friends and a select circle of rock legends, each carrying their own memories of a man who changed music forever.

Sharon stood at the altar, her hands resting gently on the rosewood casket. Her voice, steady but full of heartbreak, cut through the silence:
“He gave the world his voice, but he gave us his heart. And even when his body was tired, his love for us never grew old. Ozzy, my darling, I will love you until I’m with you again.”

She paused, brushing her hand along the lid, her words hanging in the air like a final promise. “You promised me you’d wait on the other side.”

An Unexpected Voice: Céline Dion’s Tribute

In a moment that surprised many, Céline Dion stepped forward to share her own tribute. Though their friendship was not widely known, Dion revealed a quiet bond formed in recent years, rooted in their shared struggles with fame and health.

“Ozzy was chaos to the world, but kindness in person,” she said, her voice trembling. “When I was sick, he wrote to me every week. He told me, ‘Céline, you still have music in you. Don’t let the silence win.’ Today, I say the same to him. Ozzy, your voice will never fade. We will carry it.”

Dion then closed her eyes and delivered a haunting, stripped-down rendition of “Hallelujah.” The chapel filled with quiet sobs as her voice soared, a fitting tribute to a man whose life was a symphony of both darkness and light.

The Children’s Final Words

One by one, Ozzy’s children stepped forward to say their goodbyes. Amy Osbourne, reserved and reflective, captured the duality of her father’s life:
“To the world, you were a legend. To me, you were Dad. The man who told me bedtime stories with vampires and angels and reminded me that being strange was a kind of magic. I’ll miss our Sunday talks. I’ll miss your voice calling me ‘little star.’”

Kelly Osbourne, her eyes hidden behind a black veil, spoke of the love that ran beneath the wildness:
“You were the loudest man in any room, but you were also the one who noticed when I was hurting. You called me your mirror, and I see you in everything I do. I just hope I made you proud. I love you, Daddy.”

Jack Osbourne, standing with his own children, brought a sense of resilience to the moment:

“My father wasn’t perfect, and he never pretended to be. But he showed me how to stand up after every fall, how to fight for what matters, and how to laugh when the world felt heavy. You didn’t just raise a family, Dad. You raised a storm. And now it’s our turn to carry that thunder.”

A Global Celebration: Fans Unite in Hyde Park

As the private service ended, the world joined in a public celebration of life at London’s Hyde Park. More than 80,000 fans gathered beneath the summer sky, candles flickering in tribute. Giant screens played unseen footage—early Black Sabbath gigs, home videos, tender moments with grandchildren—reminding everyone of the man behind the myth.

The crowd sang along to “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and “Dreamer,” voices rising in a collective farewell. Tributes poured in from across the music world: Elton John, Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper, Gene Simmons, and Dave Grohl all shared memories, many pre-recorded for the event.

“A true titan,” said McCartney. “He made us laugh, made us cry, made us scream, and made us believe.”

Final Words and Lasting Legacy

As dusk settled, Sharon Osbourne revealed Ozzy’s last words, spoken with a faint smile, surrounded by family:

“Is the sky still red? That means it’s music time.”

Even in his final moments, Ozzy was dreaming of music—a testament to a life lived in pursuit of sound, chaos, and connection. His casket, lowered beneath a black granite headstone bearing his iconic bat insignia, reads:

“I am the Prince of Darkness, and I am free.”

The Song Never Ends

From a difficult childhood in postwar Birmingham to the heights of global superstardom, Ozzy Osbourne’s journey was one of rebellion, redemption, and relentless creativity. He broke every rule, survived every storm, and inspired millions to embrace their wildness and humanity.

Outside the gates of his Buckinghamshire estate, fans continue to leave guitars, leather jackets, black roses, and letters—a testament to the man who made them feel seen in their weirdness and their dreams.

Ozzy may have left the stage, but his song will never end. Rest in power, Prince of Darkness.

December 3, 1948 – July 28, 2025.

Bark at the moon. Sing to the stars.