EXCLUSIVE: A grief expert has urged the Osbournes to not suppress their grief as well as trying ‘remember their own unique relationship’ with the rock icon.

Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne’s death has fans grieving, as well as his family (Image: Getty)

Rock enthusiasts are mourning the loss of the iconic Ozzy Osbourne, who died earlier this week.

Ozzy, who was also known as “Prince of Darkness,” died on Tuesday July 22 after succumbing to Parkinson’s disease, at age 76. His pioneering influence on rock music and his enduring family legacy are being celebrated far and wide.

Now a grief expert has revealed the steps his family, including wife Sharon and children including Jack and Kelly, should take to ’embrrace their grief’ and to make it clear there is no “right way” to grieve such a huge and iconic figure.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne
A grief expert has urged that the Osbournes “should not feel ashamed” of their grief for Ozzy (Image: Getty)

Caz Hawley, Grief Recovery Specialist and Coach explained, “The truth is, we aren’t ‘taught’ how to grieve. We saw Gene Simmons on BBC Breakfast apologise for his tears and emotion. But anyone who is suffering a form of grief after the news of Ozzy’s death should not feel the need to apologise for something so profoundly natural.”

She continued, “This applies to Ozzy’s family, too. They have requested privacy, but if they feel they want to share their grief, they should not feel ashamed. We know from years of watching Kelly and Jack interact with their father how close their relationships were.

“Losing a parent is a massive life-changing event, which most of us are never prepared for, and I would encourage Jack and Kelly to remember their own unique relationship with their father, and know that there is no “right way” to grieve or to “be” during such devastating and life-changing times. Sharon too.”

Discussing the feelings of grief in more depth, she added, “Grief and sadness are normal, natural human characteristics. Tears, in particular, can be incredibly cathartic and healing. Scientific evidence shows that tears of sadness actually release stress hormones and toxins, and they also trigger the release of endorphins, which are our body’s natural pain relievers and mood boosters. Crying, especially during grief, can also foster bonding and empathy within a community. So anyone who has been affected by Ozzy’s death needs to know that it’s absolutely okay to cry this out, together, as a community.

“Ultimately, grief is the normal and natural reaction to loss. The conflicting feelings caused by the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behaviour. Grief can be about the things we wish we had said or done differently, and it’s also profoundly about unrealised expectations, hopes, and dreams. The most crucial point I can emphasise is that grief is normal, and it is not something we should ever feel the need to hide.”