Evidence for Heaven: Near-Death Experiences and the Mounting Case for the Afterlife

by Michael Zigarelli

If one person told you the story about how they died, experienced the afterlife, and then came back to life, would you believe them? What if thousands of people had similar stories?

Research over the past fifty years is finally settling centuries of debate. There's an increasingly credible case that death is a doorway--a case established by the thousands who walked through that door and returned to tell of it. In this captivating investigation, Professor Michael Zigarelli takes you on a step-by-step journey into these breathtaking eyewitness accounts, uncovering seven lines of evidence for life after death, including
· consistent near-death experience (NDE) reports of the afterlife
· corroborated reports where the NDE stories check out as true
· the radically transformed lives of those who experienced an NDE
· what healthcare workers have observed at the deathbed
· NDE reports from young children and the blind

If you have lost a loved one and wonder whether you might see them again, if you seek assurance that this life is not all there is, or if you're simply curious about the scientific case for the afterlife, Evidence for Heaven offers a compelling, intellectually satisfying answer to one of life's greatest mysteries, What happens after we die?

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Beauty in the Binding]

For anyone interested in near-death experiences (NDEs), Michael Zigarelli’s new book, Evidence for Heaven: Near-Death Experiences and the Mounting Case for the Afterlife, offers a wide overview of NDEs. The book is full of recorded experiences and references to medical studies. It includes a notes/citation section that I recommend reading as the book progresses. I found Evidence for Heaven to be more focused on the research than the theology of NDEs.

As Evidence for Heaven unfolds, Zigarelli’s approach is to examine seven lines of evidence relating to NDEs and the afterlife: historical evidence, consistent testimony, corroborated testimony, testimony from children and the Blind, deathbed witnesses, expert witnesses, and post-NDE transformed lives. Indeed, most of the book is the author’s presentation of medical research and witness testimony regarding NDEs and the afterlife. As if building a court case, he presents much information for the NDE side, but acknowledges the opposite side. At verdict time, Zigarelli leaves the decision to the reader rather than pressing for a specific stance. He encourages the reader to critically examine the evidence he has presented and to apply the same burden of proof in evaluating the afterlife denial position.

Though published by Baker Books, a Christian publisher, in Evidence for Heaven, Zigarelli does not heavily lay his view on the reader. With sensitivity, he presents the Christian faith as the one most in-line with NDEs. I appreciated that he acknowledges that Western Christian salvation views may be more narrow than the truth. Not to say that he is heretical, but he gently suggests that, based on the evidence, perhaps more people go to heaven than we realize. As a life-long Christian, I was not offended by this suggestion, but those who hold more hard-core views may decry this.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.

[Cover Lover Book Review]

Evidence for Heaven is a fascinating read! Even though I already believe in Heaven and don’t need any convincing, the stories of near-death experiences (NDEs) are amazing to read.

The book presents out seven types of evidence for life after death, including personal testimonies, people who witnessed NDEs, and historical examples going back 500 years. It even mentions two situations in the Bible—Paul and Stephen—that might be considered NDEs.

At the end of the book, there are general and theological questions and answers that help explain the main ideas covered in the book.

It’s clear the author spent a lot of effort, time, and prayer making the book. I just wish there was more attention on the Christian beliefs, the plan of Salvation, and the Bible’s teachings as the final word.

Overall, this book is a good choice for anyone curious about stories of life after death. It inspires faith and gives scientific and spiritual explanations.

First Lines (Introduction): “Internal decapitation.” That’s the terrifying term the doctors used.
Genre: Near-Death Experiences, Christian
Author: Michael Zigarelli
Page Count: 176

#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

[Caroline]

This was a thought provoking read that stayed with me long after I finished it. Evidence of Heaven by Michael Zigarelli brings together powerful stories that offer glimpses into experiences that are hard to put into words. The accounts are emotional without feeling sensationalized, and there is a sincerity throughout that makes each story feel meaningful rather than exaggerated. I found myself pausing often just to sit with what I had read.

What really stood out to me was the way the book balances science and faith so gracefully. It does not dismiss skepticism, but instead engages with it in a calm and respectful way, weaving together research, reasoning, and belief. That balance made the message feel accessible whether you are deeply spiritual or simply curious. It left me feeling comforted, reflective, and surprisingly hopeful, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in the intersection of faith, evidence, and the possibility of something beyond this life.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

[Leslie]

I want to thank the author and publisher for hosting a Goodreads Giveaway. This was an amazing read that I didn't know I needed. I had an experience when I had my first baby 13 years ago that left me thinking about Heaven and the afterlife for years. I try live my life by God daily, I teach Sunday school at a church and a Bible Study for middle school aged students on Wednesdays evenings. I have also formed a very small but fulfilling church homeschool group for our kids that were struggling in school. I feel very fulfilled by my work within our church, which is so different than what I went to college for and where I thought my life would be. Reading this book, and hearing the experiences others had, and showing evidence that it is God's love and living in service of that for ourselves and others has helped me realize that that is why I feel so much joy for the work I do. I cried tears of joy. Thank you again.

[Susan Biscay-Hopkins]

Alternate Title: The End is not The End