AI Platform for Funeral Planning Launched by Denver Nuggets Star

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver Nuggets point guard Russell Westbrook is among a group of basketball stars who are stepping off the court for another project, launching a funeral planning platform boosted by AI.

Eazewell is a website that uses AI to help those who have lost a loved one with the next steps, like finding a funeral home or cremation provider, planning the funeral, financing, fundraising and completing end-of-life tasks and paperwork.

The platform, co-founded by Denver’s Westbrook, former NCAA National Champion at UConn Donnell Beverly Jr., and Charlotte Hornets’ player enhancement coach Kemba Walker, announced its official launch on Wednesday.

The concept for Eazewell came about from the co-founders’ past experiences with loss, according to a press release. Beverly Jr. and Westbrook’s high school friend and teammate, Khelcey Barrs III, died of an enlarged heart during a game.

Later, Beverly Jr. lost both of his parents and was faced with many challenges in end-of-life planning. He said the logistical work that followed took up time that he would have rather spent mourning and consoling his family, and Eazewell was built “so people don’t have to go through that alone.”

“Years ago, Donnell and I connected through the loss of a close friend. Witnessing the profound impact it had on the family left a lasting impression on me,” Westbrook said in the release. “Eazewell is the solution we wished they had then. We’re turning that pain into service for those experiencing loss, providing families with someone in their corner when they need it most. I’m incredibly proud to be part of something that will truly make a difference in people’s lives.”

Westbrook can often be seen wearing wristbands bearing “KB3” while playing, in honor of Barrs III.

Eazewell was previously soft-launched and is now available throughout the U.S. According to the release, users can use the platform to request quotes, get curated funeral home options, manage paperwork and more.

“Recent advances in agentic AI allow Eazewell to automate complex negotiations, paperwork, and loan applications in real-time, instantly parsing user requests, learning from each exchange, and coordinating with service providers. The result is a significant reduction in logistical strain for grieving families,” the press release states.

The company said it also plans to roll out advanced AI features in the coming weeks.