I have been unable to sign-in to the iPad that you have received because the previous owner died.

Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be turned off:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201441

As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, or unless you can secure the cooperation of the previous owner, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. Without documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple won’t assist - and nobody here will be able to help you.

Without the Apple ID and Password, that iPad will be useless for you. Activation Lock is a theft prevention system. you should recycle the device at any Apple Store.