Even in Death, Ozzy Osbourne Wanted to Make You Laugh — His Funeral Wishes Were Anything but Ordinary
The world may have lost the “Prince of Darkness,” but Ozzy Osbourne never lost his wicked sense of humor — not even in death.
Before his passing on July 21, 2025, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman made it clear how he wanted to be remembered: not with tears, but with laughter, Beatles songs, and even coffin pranks. Throughout the years, Ozzy spoke candidly — and often cheekily — about his mortality, funeral preferences, and legacy.
In a 2011 interview with The Times, Osbourne responded to a reader question about funeral planning. A woman named Macy asked if it was morbid to prepare your own service, citing Peter Sellers’ famously ironic song choice at his funeral.
Ozzy responded with signature irreverence:
“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 wrote.
He went on to suggest some theatrics for his own service — like a knock from inside the coffin or a pre-recorded video of himself demanding a “second opinion” on his death.
“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 added.
In 2016, during a feature with NME called “Soundtrack of My Life,” Ozzy revealed the song he’d want played at his funeral: “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles. He toyed with other options too, suggesting tracks from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or Revolver.
“I really need a few more years to think this over… but probably something from The Beatles,”
he said, noting that his own songs didn’t feel right because he never actually listened to them.
Then in 2020, during a candid moment on Good Morning Britain, host Piers Morgan asked Ozzy how he’d like to be remembered. Without hesitation, Ozzy shot back with a classic punchline:
“Bats taste like s—,”
referencing his most infamous onstage moment.
Although his humor never faded, the grief following his passing is very real. Just days after his death was announced, Ozzy’s sisters, Jean Powell (85) and Gillian Hemming (80), shared their heartbreak in an interview with The Mirror.
Jean, who last saw Ozzy at Black Sabbath’s farewell concert in Birmingham on July 5, recalled:
“He was frail, but it still came as a shock. 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.”
She said their last meeting was short but meaningful, and that Ozzy had planned to return to Birmingham again.
“In his last text to me, he said he would be coming back. He was still our John, still cracking the jokes,”
she said, using his birth name.
Gillian echoed her sister’s pride in their brother’s legacy, adding:
“What the public saw of John was exactly what he was like in real life. It wasn’t an act.”
Even as his body weakened, Ozzy’s charisma and comic timing never wavered. From his infamous antics to his final performance seated on stage, he embraced both the absurd and the heartfelt — even in planning his own goodbye.
And while the final details of his funeral remain private, fans around the world can be certain of one thing: Ozzy Osbourne may be gone, but he made sure that even his death would be unforgettable — maybe even a little bit funny.
