Russell Westbrook's New Venture: End-of-Life Planning Startup

A New Venture in End-of-Life Planning: Eazewell Launches with Russell Westbrook

Donnell Beverly Jr. initiated the launch of Eazewell, a startup focused on end-of-life planning, following the passing of both his parents. He immediately sought the collaboration of a longtime friend, renowned nine-time NBA All-Star, Russell Westbrook, to assist in establishing the business.

The Core Philosophy Behind Eazewell

Beverly Jr. explained to TechCrunch that Westbrook consistently prioritizes making a positive impact on individuals in all his endeavors. He stated, “He’s been very vocal about that throughout his career.” Beverly Jr. further elaborated that the company was born from transforming personal hardship into a platform designed to provide support to others.

Westbrook’s involvement was quickly secured. Subsequently, four-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker also joined the team, leading to the official launch of Eazewell.

How Eazewell Operates

Eazewell functions as an AI-driven platform designed to streamline and automate the administrative tasks associated with end-of-life and funeral arrangements. The platform’s AI agent provides round-the-clock support, assisting users with tasks ranging from locating and reserving a funeral home to canceling the credit cards of the deceased.

The company establishes partnerships with various service providers, including hospice care facilities, funeral homes, and insurance companies. This collaborative approach allows the platform to be offered free of charge, with optional premium features available for a fee.

Westbrook’s Perspective on the Partnership

Westbrook shared with TechCrunch that he had the opportunity to support Beverly Jr.’s family during a difficult time and witness the development of this innovative concept. He expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with Beverly Jr. and contributing to this venture.

The Genesis of Eazewell

Beverly Jr. conceived the idea for Eazewell after experiencing the challenges of navigating the aftermath of his parents’ deaths within a short timeframe. This experience highlighted the significant burden and fragmentation within the end-of-life services market.

He observed the recent advancements in AI technology and recognized its potential to alleviate the administrative workload faced by grieving families.

“We’ve seen how AI has impacted our lives while we’re here, but now we’re entering a space where it’s impacting our lives after death,” Beverly Jr. noted.

Eazewell’s Progress and Expansion

Founded in 2024, Eazewell has already assisted over 100,000 families since the platform’s initial release earlier in the year.

Currently, Eazewell is introducing a new enterprise platform tailored for hospice companies, senior living facilities, and life insurance providers. This integration allows these organizations to incorporate Eazewell’s automated functionalities into their existing management systems.

Future Goals: Managing Digital Assets

Looking ahead, Eazewell aims to assist individuals in managing the digital assets of a deceased loved one, a task that is becoming increasingly complex as more of people’s lives are conducted online.

“The average person has anywhere between 70 and 100 digital accounts that are active at any time,” Beverly Jr. explained. “Your family is inheriting all those digital accounts and those digital assets as well. And that’s not typical. We’re stepping into a new kind of realm within that. When we look at the whole landscape, we see a grand opportunity to not only help people but just make it a lot more seamless.”

Westbrook’s Commitment to Accessibility

For Westbrook, Eazewell represents an ideal opportunity to collaborate with a lifelong friend while leveraging his influence to support a business that provides assistance to individuals—particularly those in underserved communities—during a challenging and often expensive time.

“Anytime I put my name on anything, I try to find ways to open doors, build trust, find ways to play a big role in it and be present because I think that’s important,” Westbrook stated. “And this isn’t about me or being super technical by any means, but it’s more importantly about families finding ways to be able to help them through a loss. And for me, using my platform to be able to do that is a no-brainer.”