Ozzy Osbourne, the larger-than-life icon who defined a generation of rock, was laid to rest in Birmingham — the city where it all began. But amid the flowers, music, and thousands of mourning fans, one quiet gesture stood out: Sharon Osbourne, overcome with emotion, raised both hands in the air and gave two peace signs… before breaking down in tears.
It wasn’t random. It wasn’t rehearsed. It was Ozzy’s gesture — one he flashed to fans for decades. And in that moment, Sharon said more than any speech ever could.
A Family United in Grief
On July 30, Sharon was joined by her three children — Jack, Kelly, and the rarely-seen Aimee — as they led a powerful public farewell for the Prince of Darkness. Together, they laid lilac flowers wrapped in black paper on a sea of floral tributes that fans had placed at the famous Black Sabbath bench in Birmingham.
Thousands of people had gathered along the streets, some not even knowing the exact route the hearse would take. But when it passed by Ozzy’s childhood home at 14 Lodge Road, and rolled past the tribute-filled bench, a wave of emotion swept through the crowd.
The hearse itself was a tribute: a black vehicle adorned with a purple cross and “Ozzy” spelled out in white flowers. As it passed, fans tossed more flowers, wept, clapped, and some even chanted his name. The Bostin Brass Band played reworked rock anthems that turned the streets of Birmingham into a celebration as much as a goodbye.
Fans Noticed the Gesture — and Knew What It Meant
While many associate the “devil horns” hand sign with heavy metal, longtime fans know Ozzy’s trademark was the double peace sign. One emotional fan posted:
“Please remember, Ozzy’s sign wasn’t the horns — that was Dio’s thing. Ozzy always flashed the peace signs. That’s who he was. Seeing Sharon do that today broke me.”
Ronnie James Dio, who replaced Ozzy in Black Sabbath in the late ‘70s, helped popularize the devil horns. But Ozzy, ever the unexpected icon, stuck to a gesture of peace — rebellious in its own right.
Sharon’s peaceful tribute, then, wasn’t just emotional — it was authentic. A nod to the man she loved, not the myth the world sometimes made him into.
A Celebration, Not a Mope-Fest
Ozzy’s funeral came just weeks after his epic “Back to the Beginning” concert — a final love letter to Birmingham and the fans who stood by him for more than five decades. The concert was triumphant. The funeral? Intimate, emotional, and fitting for the legend he was.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, was seen embracing Sharon and reflecting on Ozzy’s impact:
“He was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham. We’re proud to give him the farewell he deserves.”
And if Ozzy had his way, he never wanted anyone crying too hard.
In one of his final interviews, he joked about what music should play at his funeral:
“Honestly, I don’t care — they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and ‘We Are The Diddymen’ if it makes ’em happy.”
“I want it to be a celebration. Maybe a prank or two — the sound of knocking from inside the coffin, or a video of me asking the doctor for a second opinion on being dead.”
That was Ozzy. A man who, despite all the darkness in his music, lived a life full of humor, rebellion, and unexpected warmth.
A Daughter’s Tribute, A Widow’s Goodbye
Earlier in the week, Kelly Osbourne had also honored her father by wearing his signature round, purple-tinted sunglasses — a small, powerful nod to the bond they shared.
But it was Sharon’s tearful peace sign — something so simple yet so personal — that truly shook fans. It reminded them that even rock legends are human. That behind every icon is a family grieving the person, not the performer.
In the end, Ozzy got the farewell he wanted: loud, full of love, and unmistakably him. But in those small, human moments — a daughter’s sunglasses, a widow’s peace sign — the depth of loss was felt most clearly.
