Ozzy Osbourne revealed heartbreaking funeral plans before his death aged 76
Ozzy Osbourne revealed his funeral plans prior to his death at the age of 76.
Ozzy passed away earlier this week, with his family confirming his death in a touching statement.
It read: "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. He was with his family and surrounded by love.
"We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."
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Back in 2019, Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which is a progressive, neurological condition in which different areas of the brain become damaged over time.
While Ozzy's funeral plans have not yet been released, he once explained that he didn't want the occasion to be sad.
"There'll be no harping on the bad times," he wrote in a column for The Times back in 2011 when a fan wrote in asking about planning his own funeral.
"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'."
Ozzy also said he didn't care what music they played, adding: "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."
Although, in a later interview with NME, Ozzy explained he would choose 'A Day In The Life' by The Beatles.
He added: "I really need a few more years to think this over, but probably something from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band or Revolver.
"I definitely don't want my f**king greatest hits album - I never ever play that thing, I'm f**king embarrassed about it. And I definitely don't want a f**king happy song - I'm dead."
Ozzy leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and their children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. He is also survived by Jessica and Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, as well as his grandchildren.
Prior to his passing, Sharon organized for Ozzy to return to his home town in the UK for the Back to the Beginning benefit concert, where he performed alongside Black Sabbath, raising $189 million for charity.
"The only place that we could do it would have been Aston, because that's where Ozzy was born and grew up, which is right where the Villa ground is," Sharon told Music Business Worldwide.
"I thought of having all the bands he's ever had relationships with perform and maybe do Sabbath songs and Ozzy songs. It became a celebration of the music.
"All the generations are going to be there that Sabbath and Ozzy have passed the torch down to."
After performing at the concert, Ozzy told fans: "You've no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Topics: Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, News, Celebrity
Lucy Devine