Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John — walked side by side to the altar at Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral, their faces solemn yet resolute. According to social media posts and eyewitness accounts, the legendary musicians joined the procession into the private chapel at Ozzy’s Buckinghamshire estate following the emotional fan‑fare in Birmingham This unexpected but profoundly symbolic gesture came as part of the intimate funeral attended by close family and fellow artists including Elton John, Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, Marilyn Manson, James Hetfield of Metallica, Yungblud, Corey Taylor and Yungblud—a gathering of 110 friends and family on the grounds of a 250‑acre estate beside a lakeside burial site Ozzy had chosen the Beatles classic “A Day in the Life,” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, as the only song to be played at his service, a request honored in full during the ceremony The funeral followed a public procession held on July 30, 2025 in Birmingham to allow fans to pay tribute, in which a brass band performed, fans chanted “Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy,” and the motorcade paused at the Black Sabbath bench and bridge, a shrine for the city’s favorite rock luminary It was only the following day that the private funeral was held, with family and select musical icons in attendance In a striking moment laden with respect and solidarity, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney strode together in step toward Ozzy’s coffin, their expressions reflective and dignified—a scene immediately captured and widely circulated on social media pages referencing the funeral The presence of Paul McCartney joining Sir Elton John to lead the musical tribute solidified Ozzy’s unique request and underscored the deep respect held for him across diverse musical communities — from heavy metal to classic rock.
Paul McCartney, whose composition with John had been selected by Ozzy for his final farewell, was said to have personally ensured that the piece was performed as intended, and his appearance alongside Elton John served as a living tribute to that bond Elton John, who had already posted on social media that Ozzy was “a dear friend” and “a huge trailblazer … a true legend,” later described the funeral as wonderfully solemn—a fitting send‑off for a man who shaped heavy metal and television culture alike Eyewitnesses in attendance at the service described the atmosphere as heavy with grief but also movingly celebratory: photographs of Ozzy dotted around the estate, floral wreaths including one reading “Ozzy fucking Osbourne,” keepsake photos given to guests, and subtle nods to his enduring humor—such as bat boxes installed near his lakeside burial to reference the infamous 1982 bat‑biting incident—reflecting his family’s thoughtful blend of sorrow and personality in the ceremony.
Kelly Osbourne, Ozzy’s eldest daughter, shared a clip from their family’s MTV reality show in which her father’s ten‑word philosophy—“Listen, all you’ve got to worry about is getting through today … just live each day to the fullest … stop worrying”—was offered as a source of solace amid mourning, She was seen wearing his signature round purple sunglasses, while Sharon Osbourne wore one of Ozzy’s wedding rings on a golden chain around her neck; Jack Osbourne wore a small cross pin on his tie; Aimee wore a bat brooch—all personal statements honoring their father’s legacy. Yungblud (Dominic Harrison), who had a close friendship with Ozzy, delivered a heartfelt reading and shared that he considered the cross pendant Ozzy had gifted him in 2022 to be “the most precious thing I own,” while the service also featured speeches, musical tributes, and memories shared among friends and family on a stage especially set up on the estate, Metallica’s James Hetfield, Marilyn Manson, Corey Taylor and Zakk Wylde also shared remembrances, toasting Ozzy as a mentor, icon, and friend
The week preceding the funeral saw a massive public tribute in Birmingham on July 30, during which thousands lined Broad Street to watch the funeral procession pass, including stops at landmarks meaningful to Ozzy’s history—fans left tributes and city officials coordinated the event in partnership with the family, who covered the costs; a livestream of the procession was made available for international well‑wishers via the Black Sabbath bench location. The next day, on July 31, the private service at Ozzy’s Buckinghamshire estate took place—only invited guests and family attended, marking a more personal farewell that nevertheless included some of music’s most famous figures.
In total, it was widely reported that approximately 110 close family members and friends attended the private service; those in attendance included Osbourne’s widow Sharon, their children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis (from a previous marriage), and his former bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward; public figures in attendance included Elton John, Paul McCartney, Marilyn Manson, James Hetfield, Yungblud and others. The ceremony blended grief and celebration: the choice of music, the Beatles tribute, the bat boxes, symbolic accessories, and shared memories all reflected the multifaceted life of a man known as the Prince of Darkness, reality‑TV star, philanthropist, and cultural icon.
The convergence of Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John walking side by side has become one of the most enduring images from the funeral. It represented not only a personal tribute to their friend but also an emblem of cross‑genre respect: Beatles royalty honoring a metal pioneer. While each had publicly offered their condolences—Elton calling Ozzy “a true legend,” McCartney making sure “A Day in the Life” featured in the service—their joint entrance into the chapel elevated the moment to one of musical history, capturing global attention as a moving symbol of unity in mourning. This moment will likely be remembered as one of the most poignant intersections of artist legacies in recent decades—the Beatles, Elton John, Black Sabbath—meeting at a single altar to pay homage to the life and impact of Ozzy Osbourne.
This remarkable gathering capped off a farewell journey that began with Ozzy’s final live performance in Birmingham on July 5, a charity‑raising concert titled “Back to the Beginning,” which helped generate massive donations for children’s and Parkinson’s charities. It was followed by his unexpected passing on July 22 at the age of 76 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease and other health issues. Sharon, Kelly, and other family members subsequently organized a pair of ceremonies: the public Birmingham procession on July 30 and the private Buckinghamshire funeral on July 31, together creating a farewell as grand and personal as the man himself
In sum, the image of Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John walking side by side toward the altar at Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral—faces solemn yet resolute—has become emblematic of the crossover respect and love the global music community held for one of its most singular legends. Their presence, along with countless mourners and fans, ensured that Ozzy’s farewell was both deeply heartfelt and historically significant.
