There’s a moment in life—inevitable, devastating, sacred—when grief comes crashing in, and the world stops. For Russell Westbrook, that moment came with the death of his best friend, Khelcey Barrs III. Now, decades later, he’s helping families navigate that same heartbreak—armed not with just memories, but with artificial intelligence.
Westbrook is one of the co-founders of Eazewell, an AI-powered funeral planning platform designed to meet loss with structure, dignity, and care. It’s tech with a pulse—born from pain, built for peace.
Created alongside Donnell Beverly Jr., a former NCAA champion who lost both parents, and NBA All-Star Kemba Walker, Eazewell isn’t your typical startup story. It’s the answer to a question no one wants to ask: What do we do now? The platform provides round-the-clock AI support, streamlining everything from death certificate paperwork and financial notifications to memorial pages and funeral home matching. It even automates consent forms, handles social media account closures, and offers payment options like financing and installment plans.
This isn’t just convenience—it’s compassion made efficient.
“Eazewell is the solution we wished existed back then,” said Westbrook. “We’re turning that pain into service—so no one has to face loss alone.”
For Beverly, now the company’s CEO, it’s deeply personal.
“When I lost my parents, the calls and chaos kept me from mourning. That’s why we built this.”
And the mission is resonating. Backers include Boost Mobile CEO Stephen Stokols and Metta World Peace, who are helping fund Eazewell through Tru Skye Ventures. Stokols put it plainly:
“The funeral industry hasn’t changed in decades. AI can finally put families first.”
At its core, this isn’t about Silicon Valley innovation—it’s about human vulnerability. Black families, especially, have long faced systemic barriers even in death: high costs, limited access, and bureaucratic burdens. Eazewell is a bold step toward equity in one of life’s most fragile moments.
Because the future of AI shouldn’t just be smart. It should be soulful.
