Image Credit: The Central Birmingham Business Improvement District

When Birmingham bid farewell to its own Prince of Darkness, the city made sure the moment would never be forgotten. Fans of Ozzy Osbourne lined the streets during a funeral procession that wound through his hometown, transforming the Black Sabbath bridge and bench into a sea of flowers, artwork, personal notes, band merchandise, and heartfelt tributes. Posters across the area read simply: “Ozzy forever. Birmingham will always love you.”

Now, the Central Birmingham Business Improvement District (BID) is stepping in to make sure those memories are preserved. The organization has carefully transported the thousands of items left behind to a secure location, where they’re being catalogued and stored. According to their website, every single offering — from handwritten letters to flowers, guitars, mini amplifiers, toy bats, candles, and Black Sabbath memorabilia — will be protected and eventually sent to the Osbourne family.

Image Credit: The Central Birmingham Business Improvement District

To ensure nothing is lost to time, a digital archive of the tributes is also being created. The BID has shared images showing the meticulous sorting process, where gifts have been grouped by type. Among the many touching messages, one note from a fan named Angie read: “Ozzy, your music has made my life so much better. You will always be missed.”Another tribute declared: “Thank you for bringing the world metal. You are a legend. Rest easy, Prince of Darkness.”

Even the flowers are being given special treatment. Bouquets from the memorial — including those laid by Sharon Osbourne and the couple’s children, wrapped in black ribbon and purple tissue — are being mulched into a unique “confetti compost.” At the request of the family, this compost will be used at Ozzy’s final resting place, ensuring that the love of his fans will remain with him forever.

Image Credit: The Central Birmingham Business Improvement District

Birmingham’s honorary lord mayor, Zafar Iqbal, called Osbourne “more than a music legend — he was a son of Birmingham.” In his statement, he explained the importance of giving Ozzy a farewell worthy of his legacy: “We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began.”

Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22 at the age of 76 following a heart attack, leaves behind not just a musical legacy but a city that will forever call him its own.