ROCK legend Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral plans have been revealed.
The Prince of Darkness will be laid to rest tomorrow, with his cortege travelling through the streets of his home city Birmingham at 1pm.
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Fans will have the opportunity to pay their respects to the Black Sabbath frontman, who died at the age of 76 last week, ahead of a private family funeral.
The procession will head along Broad Street to Black Sabbath Bridge and Bench, where flowers have been laid and vigils have been held since his tragic death.
Those close to the family said it will also allow Ozzy’s wife Sharon and his children the opportunity to see the tributes and floral displays left at the Black Sabbath mural and band’s bench.
The busy road will be closed from 7am tomorrow, as thousands are set to line the streets to pay their respects to the rock icon.
Birmingham brass band Bostin’ Brass will accompany the cortege, before Ozzy’s family and closest friends lay him to rest in a private service.
Council chiefs said they had worked “at pace” with Sharon to make the public procession happen.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said: “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham.
“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 going to pay our last respects and homage to one of the greatest living legends of Birmingham.”
Fans are being invited to come and line the streets to pay their last respects.
A live stream of the Black Sabbath bench will continue, with fans able to to tune in and see the cortege passing by.
The rock legend died at home in his stunning mansion in Welders, Buckinghamshire, just weeks after his emotional show.
A friend told The Sun: “Ozzy’s health declined in the days following his homecoming show in Birmingham and he passed away at home.
“Sharon and Ozzy’s children are devastated. Their friends are rallying around them but it’s a lot to take in.”
His children, Jack, 39, Kelly, 40, Aimee, 41, and Louis, 50, who is Ozzy’s son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, will all attend the funeral.
The ten hour long Back To The Beginning Show raised in excess of £1million for local charities.
News of his sudden death saw tributes from stars all over the world including Sir Rod Stewart, Sir Elton John and David Beckham.
Fans have been holding vigils at the Black Sabbath mural in Birmingham, as well as the Black Sabbath Bridge and the Black Sabbath bench in the city.
It’s understood artists close to Ozzy, including British rising star Yungblud and his Black Sabbath bandmates, will take roles in the service.
A source said: “Ozzy was one of this country’s greatest musicians and this will be celebrated.
“Ozzy always said he wanted his funeral to be a celebration and a time to give back.
“Artists like Yungblud, who was seen by Ozzy as a musician who could carry on the mantle of what he started all those years ago is expected to have a role in it.”
Ozzy’s death came just three weeks after he gave his final performance with Black Sabbath in his hometown of Birmingham.
He graced the stage earlier this month when he reunited with his bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward and played a five-song set in a farewell to music.
The crowd were heard roaring with excitement as Ozzy appeared on stage for the historic gig on July 5.
More on Ozzy Osbourne…
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He sang with his fellow founding fathers of heavy metal while seated on a black bat throne.
The gig was touted as “the greatest heavy metal show ever,” with Ozzy grinning to chanting fans as he thanked them for all they had done for him.
The rocker had vowed it would be his final gig – after years of hard living and a heartbreaking Parkinson’s battle he revealed in 2020.
Before the charity show, Ozzy said: “It’s my final encore — my chance to say thank you to my fans.
“I couldn’t have done my final show anywhere else.”
It was the first time in 20 years that the original Black Sabbath line-up have performed together.
As testament to his home city, money raised from the concert will be shared equally between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
And his last ever post on Instagram was a picture of a poster celebrating his last ever show – with a photo of him alongside his three bandmates.
It read: “Ozzy Osbourne. Back to the Beginning.”
Metallica and Slayer were on the line-up for main sets as they celebrated Ozzy’s remarkable legacy at his final show.
Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, and Mastodon also played at the show.
Friends said many big names wanted to salute the bat-munching, self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness, who became a national treasure.
A new documentary, No Escape From Now, is set to air on Paramount+ later this year, following his life since a fall in 2019 left him needing a series of ops on his back and neck.
When the film was announced in February, Sharon said of the documentary: “It shows how hard things have been for him and the courage he has shown while dealing with a number of serious health issues.
“It’s about the reality of his life now.
“We hope that story will inspire people that are facing similar issues to Ozzy.”
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Content shared from www.the-sun.com.