At the rock legend’s funeral in Birmingham, England, Kelly stepped forward to preside over the service, standing not just as a grieving daughter, but as the voice of the family and the heart of the farewell.
Ozzy, known to the world as the “Prince of Darkness,” had made one thing clear about his send-off: he didn’t want mourning — he wanted music. And he wanted his “favorite girl” to sing him home.
Clad in a simple black gown, her makeup minimal but unable to hide her red, tear-filled eyes, Kelly Osbourne took the stage set at the front of Birmingham’s St. Philip’s Cathedral, surrounded by thousands of roses, guitar picks, and hand-written letters from fans.
As the room held its breath, Kelly whispered:
“This was the song Dad said always made him cry. So tonight, it’s my turn to sing it — for him.”
She then began her haunting 2005 track “One Word” — a synth-pop ballad about distance, longing, and the unspoken bond between two souls.
“One word breaks the code of silence…”
The moment her voice cracked on the first chorus, the cathedral fell silent — except for the soft sound of weeping.
Originally released as part of Kelly’s second album “Sleeping in the Nothing”, the song held a special meaning in her family. Ozzy often called it “the most haunting thing [she’d] ever made.”
On this night, it became more than a song. It became a farewell letter. A lullaby. A cry of love from daughter to father.
Elton John was seen bowing his head, tears slipping behind his sunglasses.
Tony Iommi, Ozzy’s longtime friend and bandmate, visibly wiped his face as Kelly sang the final lines:
As the final note faded, a wave of quiet sobs swept across the crowd, from diehard metal fans in leather jackets to city officials and childhood friends of the Osbourne family.
Then came something unexpected: a standing ovation. Not loud. Not rowdy. Just hands, clapping slowly — in gratitude, in sorrow, in respect.
A Father’s Final Wish, Fulfilled
Ozzy had joked for years about his funeral being “a party, not a pity parade.” But he was serious about one thing: he wanted Kelly to sing. And he wanted her to “send him off strong.”
And she did.
“Dad said ‘You’re the one who knows me best. You get the last word,’” Kelly said through tears.
“So I gave him ‘One Word.’ I hope it was enough.”A Family, a Farewell, a Legacy
The Osbourne family — rock’s most famous clan — stood united in grief but also in strength. Kelly didn’t just honor her father — she led the world in saying goodbye to him.
From Birmingham to Hollywood, from Sabbath to solo, Ozzy’s story ended where it began — surrounded by family, music, and love.
And thanks to Kelly, the final note of that story was sung, not spoken.
Rest in peace, Ozzy Osbourne. One word is all we need: legend.
