Inside Ozzy Osbourne's Funeral Plans After Death at 76

The Prince of Darkness may be gone, but his possible funeral plans, including coffin pranks and Beatles songs to a punchline in his epitaph, show he never lost his sense of humor.

Before his passing on July 22, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, shared how he wanted the world to view his death on several occasions, and it was rarely in solemn terms. In interviews spanning more than a decade across press and television, he spoke with honesty and sarcasm about his own mortality and what his funeral service might include.

In 2011, The Times featured a special piece where the 76-year-old answered questions from regular people. A woman named Macy, from Kent, asked if it was "morbid to plan your own funeral?"

She wanted to do something thoughtful, like when Peter Sellers asked for a specific song for his service, which was ultimately a joke because everyone knew he hated that tune.

Ozzy answered with his characteristically blunt humor. "I honestly don't care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes 'em happy — but I do want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest," he shared.

The cultural icon then explained that he would like people to play some pranks at the service, like someone knocking from inside the coffin, or possibly show a video where he demands a "second opinion" from his physician regarding his passing.

In short, Ozzy never wanted anyone to dwell on the sadness or bad memories. He believed planning your funeral was the "right thing," particularly for the sake of the loved ones left behind.

"It's worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives. So by any measure, most of us in this country — especially rock stars like me — are very lucky. That's why I don't want my funeral to be sad. I want it to be a time to say 'thanks,'" he finished.

A few years later, he revealed another possible option for his memorial. The rock star was interviewed by NME in 2016 for a feature about the soundtrack of his life.

The piece included several songs Ozzy would pick for different occasions, like "The Best Band My Kids Introduced Me To" and "The Song I Can No Longer Listen To." In the section "The Song I Want Played at My Funeral," he chose "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles.

"I really need a few more years to think this over, but probably something from 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' or 'Revolver,'" he clarified, adding that he "definitely" doesn't want his own hits played because he never listened to them, and a happy song wouldn't work either.

Another possible funeral addition came up during a 2020 interview on "Good Morning Britain," where Ozzy appeared with his wife, Sharon Osbourne. Host Piers Morgan told him that his legacy would never say he "died an ordinary man."

Morgan then asked, "But when you do finally leave this earth [...] when that time comes, what would you like your epitaph to be? How would you like people to remember you?" Without hesitating, Ozzy answered, "Bats taste like [expletive]."

While Ozzy may have joked about his funeral and epitaph, the reality of his death is heartbreaking for the family. One day after his passing was announced, his sisters spoke out about the plans he had been making for the life he still hoped to live.

Jean Powell, 85, and Gillian Hemming, 80, were shocked to learn about the rock star's death through a phone call. Along with their brother, Paul Osbourne, they are the last surviving members of six siblings.

They told The U.K. Mirror that they had seen Ozzy recently in Birmingham, where Black Sabbath held their farewell concert. The band had explored the city, and although Ozzy struggled with mobility, Jean shared that he was "still our John, still cracking the jokes."

That's why the news of his passing was so surprising. "He was frail but it still came as a shock," Jean continued. "He still had plans and things he wanted to do. We don't know the details of his death, it's still too early. It's just so sad. I'm just thankful he died in England."

They had last seen him at the concert, where they sat in an executive box, and recalled how Ozzy Osbourne himself was amazed to see crowds walking down Lodge Road, the street where they once lived, on their way to the Villa Park stadium.

"We didn't really get a chance to chat much because it was such a chaotic visit. But in his last text to me he said he would be coming to Birmingham again," she added.

Meanwhile, Gillian said that they were both proud of their brother and his success, especially because he stayed down-to-earth. "What the public saw of John was exactly what he was like in real life. It wasn't an act," she declared.