Even in death, Ozzy Osbourne found a way to make fans smile.
The legendary Black Sabbath frontman’s death certificate has revealed not just his cause of death — cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and Parkinson’s disease — but also the tongue-in-cheek job title his family gave him: “songwriter, performer and rock legend.” The 76-year-old passed away on July 22, with the document listing his daughter Aimee, 41, as the informant who submitted it to a London registry.
Ozzy’s family had confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement but hadn’t previously shared the medical details. “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” they said. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time.”
The heavy metal icon was laid to rest on July 31 at his Buckinghamshire estate, buried in a scenic spot overlooking a lake. More than 100 guests, including family, friends, former bandmates, and music heavyweights like Marilyn Manson, Metallica’s James Hetfield, and Yungblud, attended the private service. Zakk Wylde, his longtime guitarist, reportedly led the procession, while photos of Ozzy were displayed throughout the home and given to guests as keepsakes.
A day earlier, his hometown of Birmingham honored him with a public funeral procession. Thousands of fans lined the streets as Sharon Osbourne, their children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, and Ozzy’s eldest son Louis joined the crowd to say goodbye. Sharon was seen tearfully holding her children close as they stopped at a memorial for the rock icon.
True to form, Ozzy had joked years ago about wanting his funeral to be more of a party than a somber farewell. “I honestly don’t care what they play at my funeral,” he told The Times of London in 2011. “But I do want to make sure it’s a celebration, not a mope-fest. I’d also like some pranks — maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin; or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of death. There’ll be no harping on the bad times.”
It seems even in his final paperwork, Ozzy made sure the world remembered him exactly as he lived — with humor, defiance, and rock ‘n’ roll swagger.
R.I.P. Ozzy, you did good Man ! And please leave the bats alone !