When Ozzy Osbourne contemplated his final send-off some 14 years ago, he harbored distinct visions for his funeral. In a 2011 column for The Times titled "Dr. Ozzy Osbourne," the Prince of Darkness responded to a fan's inquiry about the desired ambiance of his funeral. The fan pondered, "Is planning one's own funeral overly macabre, or is it a considerate gesture towards one's surviving kin, akin to Peter Sellers' request for 'In the Mood' by Glenn Miller to be played during his service? (His ultimate joke: everyone knew he detested the tune.)"
Osbourne, who passed away on July 22nd at the age of 76, offered a reflective yet whimsical response to this "morbid" query. "I genuinely couldn't care less about the funeral playlist; they might as well blast a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle, and We Are the Diddymen if it brings them joy," he began. "But I am determined to ensure it's a celebration, not a melancholic affair."
The Black Sabbath musician added with a quirky humor, "I fancy some pranks too: perhaps the sound of knocking from inside the coffin or a video clip of me seeking a second opinion from my doctor on his diagnosis of 'death.'" He emphasized, "No dwelling on gloomy times."
"To address your question, yes, a bit of forethought is indeed a kindness to one's loved ones left behind. Many individuals only encounter sorrow throughout their lives; it's worth acknowledging. By any standard, most of us in this nation, particularly rock stars like myself, are incredibly fortunate," he concluded. "Hence, I don't want my funeral to be a somber occasion. I want it to be a moment of gratitude."
In a 2002 interview with Rolling Stone, the publication inquired about his epitaph. "Just 'Ozzy Osbourne, born 1948, died so-and-so,'" he stated matter-of-factly. "I've accomplished much for a humble working-class bloke. I've put smiles on countless faces and raised plenty of eyebrows too. I'm certain that if I were to pass tonight, tomorrow's headline would read, 'Ozzy Osbourne, the man who bit the head off a bat, passed in his hotel room…' I know it's coming. But I have no complaints; at least I'll be remembered," Osbourne added.
More recently, in his final interview with PEOPLE in 2022, the "Crazy Train" singer discussed death and his desired legacy. "Survival is my legacy," he declared at the time. "I'm 73, and people ask, 'You're 70... why not call it quits?' Why should I? People still crave my music and want to see me perform, so why stop? It spurs me to get up and make something happen."
"If my career had tanked and I knew it was over, I'd be pretty miserable," he confessed. Regarding the impact he hoped his legacy would have on others, Osbourne said, "Never give up. If you're passionate about something, find a way to keep that fire burning."
