It’s not the function of a world-class newspaper to pay uncritical tribute to the dead. It’s to report and analyze the news.
The death of a religious leader is news, sometimes even front-page news, as is his public legacy.
Say nothing but good of the dead? That’s a dishonest assessment. But, yeah, Hitler was kind to animals. So, there’s that.
Besides, there’s no reason for Mormons to complain about The Times’ lead, which accurately reported key issues and events addressed by Monson’s leadership. Presumably, most Mormons are actually proud of Monson’s stances, even if much of the rest of the world is not.