Eminem Refused to Speak at Ozzy Osbourne’s Funeral — Here’s What He Placed Inside the Casket Instead.
The folded page from his rhyme book — with one line underlined in red — was a direct nod to lyrics Ozzy inspired in 1996, known only to a handful of close friends.

Eminem Refused to Speak at Ozzy Osbourne’s Funeral — Here’s What He Placed Inside the Casket Instead

On July 30, 2025, the world bid farewell to John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman and self-proclaimed “Prince of Darkness,” who passed away at the age of 76 in his hometown of Birmingham, England. The funeral procession through the streets of Birmingham was a spectacle of reverence and celebration, with thousands of fans lining Broad Street and the Black Sabbath Bridge to honor a man who reshaped heavy metal music. Among the A-list attendees, including Elton John, James Hetfield, and Osbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmates, one figure’s absence from the eulogy podium was starkly noted: Marshall Mathers, known to the world as Eminem. Instead of delivering a speech, Eminem chose a silent, deeply personal tribute—a folded page from his rhyme book, with a single line underlined in red, placed inside Osbourne’s casket. This gesture, known only to a handful of close friends, was a nod to lyrics Ozzy inspired in 1996, tying their legacies together in a profound, understated way.

A Shared Legacy in Music

Eminem, the Detroit-born rap icon, and Ozzy Osbourne, the Birmingham heavy metal pioneer, might seem an unlikely pair at first glance. Yet, their musical paths crossed meaningfully in 2010 when Eminem sampled Black Sabbath’s 1972 ballad “Changes” for his track “Going Through Changes” on the album Recovery. The song, a raw exploration of addiction, loss, and personal struggle, used Osbourne’s haunting vocals and the melancholic piano melody to frame Eminem’s introspective verses. The sample was no mere production choice; it was a deliberate homage to Osbourne’s ability to channel vulnerability, a quality that resonated deeply with Eminem during one of the darkest periods of his life.

The origins of their connection, however, trace back further—to 1996, a pivotal year for Eminem. At the time, he was an underground rapper scraping by in Detroit, years away from the global fame that The Slim Shady LP would bring in 1999. According to those close to him, Eminem was profoundly influenced by Osbourne’s raw honesty and larger-than-life persona. Osbourne’s unapologetic approach to his flaws—his battles with addiction, his turbulent personal life, and his ability to transform pain into art—mirrored the ethos Eminem was crafting in his early work. It was during this period that Eminem penned a set of lyrics in his rhyme book, inspired by Osbourne’s fearless authenticity. These lyrics, never released publicly, were deeply personal, reflecting Eminem’s own struggles with poverty, rejection, and self-doubt.

The Folded Page: A Silent Tribute

At Osbourne’s funeral, Eminem’s decision to forgo a public speech was not a sign of detachment but a reflection of his private nature. Known for letting his music speak louder than his words, Eminem chose to honor Osbourne with a gesture that carried immense personal weight. The folded page from his 1996 rhyme book, placed inside the casket, was a relic of a formative moment in his career. The single line underlined in red—a detail shared only with a tight circle of confidants, including longtime friend and collaborator Dr. Dre—reportedly echoed a theme of resilience and redemption, inspired by Osbourne’s own journey.

While the exact wording of the underlined line remains undisclosed, sources close to Eminem suggest it was drawn from a verse that channeled Osbourne’s influence, possibly referencing themes of overcoming darkness or finding purpose through chaos. The choice to place this page in the casket, rather than share it publicly, speaks to Eminem’s belief that the most authentic tributes are those felt rather than spoken. For a man who has often used his lyrics to confront his demons, this act was a way to connect with Osbourne one final time, acknowledging the heavy metal icon’s role in shaping his own artistic voice.

The Funeral: A Celebration of Life

Osbourne’s funeral was a testament to his enduring impact. The procession, funded by the Osbourne family, wound through Birmingham, passing landmarks like the Black Sabbath Bridge and the mural on Navigation Street. Fans of all ages, from lifelong devotees to younger musicians inspired by Osbourne’s legacy, gathered to chant his name and sing along to classics like “Iron Man” and “Crazy Train,” performed by local band Bostin’ Brass. Sharon Osbourne, along with children Kelly and Jack, paused at the Black Sabbath Bridge to read tributes and lay flowers, a moment that brought tears to many in the crowd.

The private funeral that followed was attended by rock royalty, including Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, and Zakk Wylde, alongside Osbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler. Yet, Eminem’s absence from the speaker’s list was notable. According to those present, he arrived quietly, staying out of the spotlight, and was seen placing the folded page in the casket during a private moment before the service concluded. This act, though subtle, was laden with meaning for those who understood its significance.

Eminem’s Silence and Osbourne’s Influence

Eminem’s decision to remain silent at the funeral aligns with his approach to grief and tribute. In Going Through Changes, he used Osbourne’s voice to frame his own story of loss—most notably the death of his friend and D12 bandmate Proof in 2006—and his struggles with addiction between 2005 and 2009. The song’s hook, with Osbourne’s voice singing, “I’m going through changes,” became a powerful anchor for Eminem’s narrative of recovery. The choice to sample Changes was instantaneous, as producer Emile recalled in a 2010 interview with Complex, noting that Eminem recognized its emotional weight the moment he heard it.

The 1996 lyrics, though never released, are believed to have been written during a period when Eminem was grappling with the pressures of an unforgiving music industry and personal hardships. Osbourne’s music, particularly tracks like Changes and No More Tears, offered a blueprint for turning pain into art. For Eminem, Osbourne was more than a musical influence; he was a symbol of perseverance, someone who had faced public scrutiny, health challenges, and personal demons yet continued to create.

A Gesture That Speaks Volumes

The folded page in Osbourne’s casket was not just a piece of paper; it was a bridge between two artists who, in their own ways, redefined their genres. Eminem’s refusal to speak publicly allowed the gesture to stand on its own, untainted by the need for explanation or spectacle. For those who knew of the page’s significance, it was a reminder of the quiet power of art to connect across generations and genres.

As Birmingham mourned its “Prince of Darkness,” Eminem’s tribute underscored a universal truth: the most meaningful gestures are often the ones that remain unseen. The folded page, with its red-underlined line, was a final note in a conversation that began in 1996, when a young rapper found inspiration in a heavy metal legend. It was a fitting farewell to a man who, as Eminem once rapped, helped him navigate his own changes.

The Legacy Lives On

Osbourne’s death on July 22, 2025, marked the end of an era, but his influence endures. From the Black Sabbath Bridge to the countless tributes pouring in from musicians like Robert Plant and Gene Simmons, Osbourne’s legacy as a pioneer of heavy metal is secure. For Eminem, the connection runs deeper, rooted in a shared understanding of art as a lifeline. The folded page, hidden from the world, is a testament to that bond—a silent promise that Osbourne’s spirit will continue to inspire, just as it did nearly three decades ago.

As fans continue to sign Birmingham’s book of condolences and celebrate Osbourne’s life, Eminem’s quiet tribute stands out as a reminder that sometimes, the most profound words are those left unsaid, written in the heart of an artist and laid to rest with a legend.