I'm sorry to read of your loss.
The untimely passing of your father at such a young age is akin to me losing my mother when she was 53 A big difference in our situations is that I was already almost 30 and married, but the similarity is that we both learned how fleeting life can be.
I can't offer to much advise about dating as I've been with the same woman for almost 35 years. What I will opine is that dating per se isn't good or bad, but has to do with the person you chose to be in a relationship with. Whatever route you choose I wish you happiness.