NBA superstar Russell Westbrook has entered the tech world by launching Eazewell, a startup focused on simplifying funeral planning through artificial intelligence. The venture was founded alongside former NBA player Kemba Walker and childhood friend Donnell Beverly Jr. Westbrook’s passion for creating impactful solutions is reflected in this new project, which aims to ease the burdens families face when coordinating funeral arrangements.
Eazewell uses AI to offer personalized funeral options based on a user’s preferences and budget. The platform streamlines tasks such as handling paperwork, managing funeral costs, sending invitations, and even cancelling utility bills and social media accounts for the deceased. This service is free to use and does not currently include any advertisements. The company, based in Los Angeles, has already tested its platform with over 1,000 families and currently employs 11 staff members.
While Eazewell hasn’t disclosed its funding, it has established revenue agreements with partner services and is working on forming partnerships with life insurance and finance companies. The platform was born from Westbrook and Beverly’s personal experiences with loss. In high school, Westbrook lost his close friend Khelcey Barrs III to a sudden heart condition, a tragedy that deeply affected him. He honors Barrs’ memory with a bracelet and dedicated shoes bearing Barrs’ initials.
The inspiration for Eazewell’s services grew further after Beverly’s own struggles with funeral planning when both of his parents passed away. He described the experience as chaotic and emotionally exhausting. This personal pain led Beverly to approach Westbrook and Walker, leading to the development of Eazewell as a solution to a common problem that many face but rarely discuss.
One of the standout features of Eazewell is its voice-activated AI agent, which can handle tasks like collecting cost estimates and contacting funeral homes on behalf of users. Advances in AI have made it possible for these systems to perform such tasks in an empathetic and efficient manner. The founders hope that Eazewell can offer families the support they need during difficult times, providing tools to manage the often overwhelming details that follow the loss of a loved one.
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