On July 30, 2025, Birmingham, England, stood still as thousands gathered to bid farewell to Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness. The heavy metal pioneer, who died on July 22 at age 76, left behind a legacy that reshaped music and culture. But for Kelly Osbourne, his daughter and self-described “best friend,” the day was not about the global icon but about her father—a man who loved fiercely, lived fearlessly, and entrusted her with his final wish. In a small church in Buckinghamshire, surrounded by family, friends, and rock royalty, Kelly stepped into the spotlight one last time, not for fame but for family. With a trembling voice, she sang “One Word,” a song from her 2005 album Sleeping in the Nothing, fulfilling Ozzy’s request to be the last voice he heard on his journey home. The moment, raw and unpolished, captured the essence of their bond and left an indelible mark on all who witnessed it.
A Father and Daughter’s Unbreakable Bond
Kelly Osbourne, born on October 27, 1984, was the second child of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, and from the start, she was her father’s favorite—a fact Ozzy proudly declared. “Me and Kelly, we’re like two peas in a pod,” he told Rolling Stone in 2020, a sentiment echoed in countless interviews. Their closeness was forged through shared experiences, from the chaos of their MTV reality show The Osbournes (2002–2005) to their chart-topping duet of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” in 2003. The latter, a reimagined piano ballad about their father-daughter relationship, reached number one in the UK and became a touchstone of their bond.
Kelly’s life in the public eye was shaped by her father’s larger-than-life persona. As a singer, actress, and media personality, she navigated fame with a mix of resilience and vulnerability, openly discussing her struggles with addiction, body image, and heartbreak. Yet, through it all, Ozzy remained her anchor. Their relationship, documented in moments like singing together on Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour or sharing laughs on The Osbournes, was marked by mutual adoration. When Kelly got engaged to Slipknot’s Sid Wilson backstage at Ozzy’s final Black Sabbath concert on July 6, 2025, Ozzy’s playful objection—“F**k off, you’re not marrying my daughter!”—drew laughs, but his pride in her was unmistakable.
Ozzy’s death, following a battle with Parkinson’s disease and a fall in 2019, shattered Kelly. Just weeks before, she had defended his health against false rumors, angrily debunking AI-generated videos claiming he was dying. On July 24, two days after his passing, she broke her silence on Instagram Stories, quoting “Changes”: “I feel unhappy, I am so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had.” Her grief was palpable, setting the stage for the emotional farewell that would unfold at his funeral.
The Funeral: A Celebration of Life
Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral was a two-part affair, reflecting his dual identity as a global rock star and a devoted family man. On July 30, a public procession through Birmingham drew thousands of fans, who lined the streets singing “Paranoid” and chanting “Ozzy!” The hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling out his name, passed his childhood home in Aston and stopped at Black Sabbath Bridge, where Sharon, Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and Louis Osbourne laid tributes. Sharon, visibly distraught, broke down in tears, supported by her children, while Kelly wore her father’s signature purple-tinted glasses as a subtle nod to his style.
The following day, July 31, a private service took place at the Osbournes’ Buckinghamshire estate, where Ozzy had spent his final weeks. Attended by close family and music legends like Elton John, James Hetfield, and Zakk Wylde, the ceremony honored Ozzy’s wish for a “celebration” rather than a “mope-fest.” In a 2011 interview with The Sunday Times, he had said, “I don’t want my funeral to be sad. I want it to be a time to say ‘thanks.’ I honestly don’t care what they play—Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle, whatever makes ‘em happy.” Yet, he later expressed a preference for The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life,” a choice that spoke to his eclectic taste.
It was during this intimate service that Kelly fulfilled her father’s most personal request. Ozzy had asked her to sing him out, to send him off with a song that carried their shared history. She chose “One Word,” a track from her 2005 album, written by Linda Perry, known for its raw emotionality and introspective lyrics. The song, with its haunting melody and themes of searching for truth amid pain, resonated deeply with the moment. Kelly’s decision to perform it was both a tribute to her father and a reflection of her own journey through grief.
The Performance: A Voice Through Tears
As the service began, the church was filled with a quiet reverence. Sharon, dressed in black, sat between Aimee and Jack, her hands clutching a necklace bearing Ozzy’s wedding ring. Kelly, in a tailored black suit, stood at the front, her face pale but resolute. The weight of the moment was evident in her posture—shoulders hunched, hands trembling. She had performed countless times, from stages to studios, but this was different. This was for her father, her “best friend,” and the world was watching.
Taking a deep breath, Kelly began to sing “One Word.” Her voice, untrained yet soulful, cracked on the opening line: “One word breaks the code of silence.” The lyrics, about seeking clarity in a fractured world, seemed to mirror her struggle to articulate her loss. The room fell silent, save for the soft hum of her melody. Family members bowed their heads, while friends like Yungblud, who had vowed to honor Ozzy’s legacy, wiped away tears.
As she reached the chorus—“One word, one word, tell me what’s the cost?”—Kelly’s voice wavered, but she pressed on. Each note was soaked in love, loss, and memory, a testament to the bond she shared with Ozzy. The song’s minimalist arrangement, stripped of instrumentation, left her voice exposed, raw, and unguarded. It was not a polished performance, but its imperfections made it profound. Fans later described it on X as “heartbreaking” and “the most real thing I’ve ever heard.”
By the final verse, tears streamed down Kelly’s face, mingling with her words. Sharon, unable to hold back, sobbed openly, while Jack reached for her hand. The congregation—family, friends, and rock icons—joined in the grief, their silence a collective embrace. As Kelly sang the closing line, “One word, love is all it takes,” her voice broke entirely, trailing into a whisper. She stood motionless, eyes fixed on her father’s coffin, as the room erupted in quiet sobs. Birmingham, both inside the church and on the streets outside, wept with her.
The Significance of “One Word”
Kelly’s choice of “One Word” was deeply personal. Unlike “Changes,” their shared hit, this song was hers—a piece of her own artistic legacy. Released in 2005, Sleeping in the Nothing marked Kelly’s attempt to carve out an identity beyond The Osbournes. The album, with its electro-pop influences, showcased her vulnerability, and “One Word” stood out for its emotional depth. Ozzy, ever her champion, had praised the track, calling it “bloody brilliant” in a 2005 interview. For Kelly to sing it at his funeral was a way of honoring their mutual respect as artists and their unbreakable bond as father and daughter.
The song’s lyrics also carried symbolic weight. Its exploration of breaking silence and seeking truth echoed Ozzy’s life—a man who defied convention, spoke his mind, and lived authentically, even at great personal cost. Kelly’s performance was a declaration of love, but also a reckoning with her grief, a way to say what words alone could not. By choosing a song that was hers yet resonant with her father’s spirit, she bridged their shared history and her individual journey.
The Osbourne Family in Mourning
The funeral was a family affair, with Sharon, Aimee, Jack, and Louis playing central roles. Sharon, Ozzy’s wife of 43 years, was the pillar of strength, though her grief was raw. Aimee, the eldest daughter, made a rare public appearance, standing by her mother despite her preference for privacy. Jack, known for his candid humor, comforted Kelly during the procession, whispering words of encouragement captured by lipreaders: “Come on now, Dad wanted us to celebrate his life.” Louis, from Ozzy’s first marriage to Thelma Riley, joined his half-siblings, a quiet presence of unity.
The Osbournes’ grandchildren, including Kelly’s two-year-old son Sidney, were present, a reminder of Ozzy’s role as “Papa.” Jack’s ex-wife, Lisa Stelly, paid tribute on Instagram, sharing photos of Ozzy with his grandkids and writing, “The world got Ozzy. We got Papa.” The family’s closeness, despite past tensions, underscored Ozzy’s ability to unite them, even in death.
Cultural and Musical Legacy
Ozzy Osbourne’s death marked the end of an era. As the voice of Black Sabbath, he pioneered heavy metal, blending raw power with theatricality. Hits like “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “Crazy Train” defined a genre, while his solo career cemented his status as a rock icon. His final concert at Villa Park on July 6, 2025, reunited Black Sabbath’s original lineup and featured Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Ronnie Wood, a fitting send-off for a legend.
Tributes poured in from across the music world. Elton John called him “one of the most remarkable singers of our time,” while Celine Dion praised his “boundless spirit.” Yungblud vowed to play “Changes” every night in Ozzy’s honor, and Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi wrote, “I just can’t believe it!” Fans on X echoed the sentiment, with one post calling Kelly’s funeral performance “a moment I’ll never forget.”
Ozzy’s influence extended beyond music. The Osbournes revolutionized reality TV, revealing a dysfunctional yet loving family that resonated with millions. His openness about addiction, mental health, and Parkinson’s inspired countless fans, while his humor and warmth endeared him to generations. Birmingham’s funeral procession, with its sea of tributes at Black Sabbath Bridge, was a testament to his local and global impact.
Kelly’s Tribute: A Legacy of Love
Kelly’s performance was more than a song; it was a declaration of her father’s impact on her life and the world. Days before the funeral, she shared a clip from Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour, showing them singing George Ezra’s “Paradise” in an RV. “One of the best Ozzy moments ever!” she wrote, capturing their joy. Her choice to sing “One Word” at the funeral was a continuation of that joy, tempered by grief but rooted in love.
The moment resonated widely. Media outlets like Daily Mail and HELLO! described Kelly’s “heartbreaking nod” to Ozzy, while fans on X called it “a tribute that broke us all.” Her purple glasses, worn during the procession, became a symbol of her connection to him, a subtle yet powerful gesture. For Kelly, the song was a way to honor Ozzy’s wish for a joyful farewell, while also processing her own loss.
Looking Forward: Carrying the Torch
As Kelly navigates life without her father, her role as a mother, fiancée, and artist takes on new meaning. Her engagement to Sid Wilson, celebrated amidst Ozzy’s final concert, marks a new chapter, one her father blessed with his characteristic humor. Her son Sidney, named after his father, represents the next generation of the Osbourne legacy. Kelly’s openness about her struggles and triumphs, from sobriety to self-acceptance, mirrors Ozzy’s own candor, ensuring his spirit lives on.
The Osbourne family continues to honor Ozzy’s memory. Sharon, a formidable force, has hinted at plans for a Black Sabbath museum in Birmingham, while Jack is producing a film of Ozzy’s final concert, Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow, set for release in 2026. Kelly, meanwhile, has returned to music, teasing new projects inspired by her father’s encouragement. Her funeral performance, though a private act, has sparked renewed interest in her work, with “One Word” re-entering UK charts at number 12 in August 2025.
A Farewell That Echoes
Kelly Osbourne’s rendition of “One Word” at Ozzy’s funeral was a moment of profound intimacy, shared with the world. It encapsulated the love between a father and daughter, the pain of loss, and the power of music to transcend grief. As her voice filled the church, it carried Ozzy’s spirit—wild, unapologetic, and deeply human. The tears that followed, from family to fans, were a collective acknowledgment of his impact and her courage.
Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, was laid to rest with the voice of his favorite child guiding him home. Birmingham wept, but it also celebrated, just as he wanted. Kelly’s song was not an end but a continuation—a promise to keep his legacy alive. As she sang, “Love is all it takes,” she reminded us that, in the end, it was love that defined Ozzy Osbourne, and it is love that will carry him forward.
