Meet the end-of-life planning startup co-founded by NBA All Star Russell Westbrook

After experiencing the loss of both of his parents, Donnell Beverly Jr. was motivated to create Eazewell, an innovative end-of-life planning startup. To bring his vision to life, he turned to his longtime friend, nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook. Beverly Jr. shared with TechCrunch, "Russ's approach in every business he engages with is focused on how we can impact people's lives. He has consistently advocated for this throughout his career. We transformed our personal grief into a platform aimed at assisting others." Westbrook eagerly joined the endeavor, alongside former four-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker, and together they launched Eazewell. This AI-driven platform is designed to simplify and automate the logistics involved in end-of-life and funeral planning. With a dedicated AI agent available around the clock, users can find and book funeral homes, cancel credit card accounts of deceased individuals, and more. The platform collaborates with various service providers, including hospice care and insurance companies, allowing it to be free for users while offering optional premium features. Reflecting on his experience, Westbrook stated, "I had the chance to closely support Donnell during this journey. He has done an exceptional job envisioning and realizing this concept. I’m thrilled to partner with him in this venture." The inspiration for Eazewell arose from Beverly Jr.'s personal challenges following his parents' passing. He recognized the overwhelming nature of the end-of-life process and the disjointed services available. The advancements in AI technology prompted him to leverage these innovations to alleviate the administrative burdens that families face during such difficult times. "AI has influenced our lives in numerous ways while we are alive, and now it is stepping into the realm of assisting after we are gone," Beverly Jr. noted. Founded in 2024, Eazewell has already assisted over 100,000 families since its launch earlier this year. The startup is now expanding its offerings with a new enterprise platform tailored for hospice companies, senior living facilities, and life insurers, enabling them to integrate Eazewell’s automated features into their existing management systems. Looking ahead, Eazewell aims to help families manage the digital legacies left behind by loved ones, a growing concern as more aspects of our lives transition online. "On average, individuals have between 70 to 100 active digital accounts at any given time. When someone passes, their family inherits these accounts and their associated digital assets, which is becoming increasingly complex," explained Beverly Jr. "We see a significant opportunity to streamline this process and provide valuable assistance to families." For Westbrook, Eazewell represents a meaningful way to engage in business with a lifelong friend while addressing a critical need in the community, particularly for those from underserved backgrounds. "Whenever I lend my name to a project, I strive to open doors and build trust. It's essential for me to play an active role in helping families navigate their loss, and using my platform to facilitate that is a natural fit," he concluded.