At 10:35 AM on Thursday, July 24, 2025, the world is still reeling from the death of Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness,” who passed away on July 22 at age 76. Just weeks after his emotional farewell concert with Black Sabbath at Villa Park, Birmingham, the heavy metal pioneer’s departure has left fans mourning a legend whose life was as wild as his music. Yet, amid the grief, attention has turned to the extraordinary funeral plans Ozzy outlined years before his death—plans so eccentric and defiant that they defy conventional mourning. From prank-filled send-offs to a playlist featuring Justin Bieber, these wishes offer a glimpse into a man who wanted his final act to be as unforgettable as his career. As the Osbourne family grapples with his loss, the question lingers: will these bold visions be honored, and what do they reveal about the man behind the myth?

The Farewell Concert: A Prelude to the End

Ozzy’s final public appearance came on July 5, 2025, during the “Back to the Beginning” concert, a reunion with Black Sabbath’s original lineup—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for the first time since 2005. Seated on a custom black throne due to his Parkinson’s and a 2019 fall, the 76-year-old delivered a set including “Paranoid” and “Iron Man” to 42,000 fans, raising funds for charity via global streaming. The event, held near his childhood home on Lodge Road, Aston, was a triumphant return, with Ozzy thanking the crowd “from the bottom of my heart.” His daughter Kelly’s engagement announcement post-show added a bittersweet note, a joy overshadowed by his death 17 days later.

This concert set the stage for his funeral plans, reflecting a man who embraced life’s highs despite health struggles. His Instagram post on July 21, teasing the event with “Mr. Crowley,” lacked any hint of farewell, suggesting either a sudden decline or a deliberate choice to focus on celebration. The family’s statement—“He was with his family and surrounded by love”—hints at a peaceful end at his Buckinghamshire mansion, though an air ambulance’s presence raises questions about the circumstances.

The Crazy Funeral Vision: A Celebration, Not a Mope-Fest

Ozzy’s funeral wishes, articulated in interviews spanning 2011 to 2016, are anything but traditional. In a 2011 Times column, he declared, “I don’t want my funeral to be sad, I want it to be a time to say ‘thanks.’” Rejecting a “mope-fest,” he emphasized no dwelling on “bad times,” a nod to his lucky life compared to others’ misery. This positivity, shaped by decades of addiction battles and health woes, underscores a desire to leave a legacy of joy.

His musical preferences were equally unconventional. Initially, he told The Times, “I honestly don’t care what they play; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle, and We Are the Diddymen if it makes ’em happy.” This eclectic mix, blending pop and quirky British humor, reflects his prankster spirit. By 2016, he refined this to The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” or tracks from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or Revolver, citing their influence on his musical journey. Yet, he was adamant: “I definitely don’t want my fing greatest hits—I’m fing embarrassed about it,” and “no f***ing happy song—I’m dead,” a stance that blends reverence and irreverence.

The pranks add a surreal twist. In Men’s Journal, he suggested “the sound of knocking inside the coffin” or a video of himself asking a doctor for a “second opinion on his diagnosis of ‘death,’” aiming to lighten the mood. This humor, rooted in his 1986 Spin admission of a Christian upbringing now lapsed, aligns with his rejection of somber rituals, offering a send-off as wild as biting a bat’s head.

Context of a Life Lived Loudly

Ozzy’s plans mirror a career of extremes. Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, he rose from a toolmaker’s son to Black Sabbath’s frontman, pioneering heavy metal with Paranoid in 1970. His solo career, launched with Blizzard of Ozz in 1980, and The Osbournes reality show cemented his icon status, despite scandals like the 1982 Randy Rhoads plane crash and his 2020 Parkinson’s diagnosis. His 2019 fall and addiction recovery shaped a resilience that fueled his final concert push, despite frail health.

The Villa Park gig, where he performed from a throne, symbolized this defiance. Sisters Jean Powell and Gillian Hemming, who saw him last there, recall his awe at the crowds on Lodge Road, a memory now tinged with loss. His desire for a celebratory funeral reflects this spirit, a refusal to let illness define his exit.

A Critical Examination of the Narrative

The official story—Ozzy dying “surrounded by love” after a concert triumph—invites skepticism. The air ambulance’s two-hour presence at Welders House suggests a medical emergency, possibly tied to Parkinson’s or a fall complication, yet no cause is confirmed. His 2025 vow to perform “if it f***ing kills me” hints at a man aware of risks, but the lack of detail fuels speculation. Was his health decline hidden to preserve the concert’s success, or did the event’s demands hasten his end? The family’s privacy request, while understandable, leaves gaps that contrast with his public openness about funeral wishes.

The establishment narrative, echoed by Sharon Osbourne’s push for the reunion, frames a heroic finale. Yet, the sisters’ shock and Ozzy’s unfulfilled plans—returning to Birmingham, recording—suggest a disconnect. Posts found on X reflect fan sentiment, with some calling it a “shock” loss, though these remain inconclusive. The media’s focus on his antics—bat-biting, Alamo urination—risks overshadowing his personal bonds, a narrative his sisters challenge by emphasizing “our John.”

The royal family’s silence, unlike their presence at other celebrity funerals, raises questions about institutional engagement with modern icons. This absence, combined with the lack of a public health update, suggests a preference for privacy over transparency, a pattern seen in past royal responses to non-traditional figures.

The Family’s Dilemma and Public Reaction

With funeral details unannounced, the Osbourne family—Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis—faces a decision. Ozzy’s wishes for a public celebration in Birmingham, paired with a private service, align with reports of a planned hometown event. His rejection of sadness clashes with the natural grief of fans leaving flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge and Drake pouring tequila at his Hollywood star. The sisters’ focus on his humor and family ties pressures the family to honor his vision, though Sharon’s emotional state—evident in her silence since the statement—may temper the execution.

Public reaction, from Elton John’s “huge trailblazer” tribute to Metallica’s “hero” lament, celebrates Ozzy’s legacy. Yet, his funeral plans’ eccentricity—Bieber medleys, coffin knocks—divide opinion. Some see it as fittingly rebellious; others question its feasibility, given cultural norms. The upcoming memoir Last Rites, due October 7, may clarify his intent, but for now, the family holds the key.

The Unbelievable Legacy

As of July 24, 2025, Ozzy’s funeral remains a mystery, with no date or location set. His plans, blending Beatles classics with pranks, defy imagination, promising a send-off as wild as his life—75 million albums sold, a genre redefined. The lack of religious elements, per his 1986 Spin comments, reinforces a secular celebration, though the family may adapt for tradition’s sake.

Critics might argue this vision masks health mismanagement, with his concert push potentially contributing to his death. Yet, his sisters’ accounts of a loving brother suggest a man who lived authentically, planning a farewell to match. Whether the knocking coffin or Bieber medley materializes, Ozzy’s final encore aims to thank fans, not mourn, a testament to a life that rocked the world—and plans to keep rocking beyond it.

The uncertainty of his last hours, like the crowds on Lodge Road, lingers, but his funeral wishes ensure his spirit endures, an unbelievable encore to a legendary tale.