Ozzy Osbourne never wanted a tearful goodbye. The Prince of Darkness, as infamous for his dirty sense of humor as for his uncontrolled personality, demanded that his funeral be a party-like affair, and somehow, even after death, got his way.
The rock star passed away on July 22 at the age of 76 and was laid to rest in a private funeral service attended by intimate friends and family members. The day was somber despite the atmosphere of sadness that had enveloped everyone, as there were moments that were more scripted by the rock star himself that varied from ominous skies to well-timed mishaps that made people grin through tears.
Ozzy Osbourne's Funeral Takes an Unexpected Turn
Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, one of Ozzy's longtime touring crew members, was just one of the multitude who attended the private service. Describing the day in an appearance as a guest on SiriusXM's Trunk Nation, he told of one incident in particular that encapsulated exactly the kind of sendoff Ozzy Osbourne would have appreciated.
It was during gray skies and rain that the ceremony started, but once it resumed, the weather had cleared, according to Trujillo. When Kelly Osbourne stepped up to sing, a gust of wind swept through and took her sheet music halfway through. Trujillo couldn't resist joking that it was Ozzy Osbourne himself "having fun" and keeping it loose, as he always did.
The weather also had a role in the day's emotional exchange. Trujillo recalled that when Black Sabbath co-founder Geezer Butler delivered his eulogy, he was so distraught he had to restart. When he resumed speaking after returning, the sun emerged from behind the clouds, a small but touching moment that served to hearten everyone in attendance.
Although there were tears at the ceremony, Trujillo described the gathering as deeply personal and filled with shared stories that induced as much laughter as sorrow.
"It was very beautiful… people recalled the good times, and even in the midst of sorrow, there were smiles," he said.
The service did not so much seem a farewell as a final meeting of friends swapping tales about someone they all cared about.
Ozzy Osbourne himself had said years before that he did not want his funeral to be too somber. In earlier interviews, he even joked about having pranks and humorous elements included, even going so far as to suggest a coffin rap or a tongue-in-cheek video message. The wind and sunshine were not part of the plan, but somehow they seemed to suit the mood of what he had envisioned.
In the days following the private ceremony, there was a larger tribute in his hometown of Birmingham, England, as fans took to the streets to say goodbye. His family, wife Sharon, and children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and Louis stopped on the Black Sabbath bridge to look at the flowers, messages, and memorabilia fans had left.
For a man who built a career on shocking performances and a devilish sense of humor, it was only fitting that his own ultimate goodbye wasn't just tearful but also filled with laughter. Even as friends and family said goodbye to him, there was the sense that Ozzy Osbourne's spirit still lingered in the wind, the sun, and the legend that will be told for years to come.